DAVIS, CA – A protest broke out ahead of a scheduled guest speaker event at the Memorial Union Quad on Thursday, resulting in a reported physical altercation and attempts to disrupt the event.
The incident occurred shortly before a 1 p.m. appearance by Brandon Tatum, a speaker invited by Turning Point USA at UC Davis, a registered student organization. About an hour before the event began, a group of approximately 30 demonstrators approached a tent and table staffed by supporters of the speaker.
According to university officials, one demonstrator struck an individual who was filming the group with a cell phone. Others reportedly pulled down the tent and engaged in shoving with those staffing the table and nearby attendees. After briefly leaving the area, demonstrators returned and made a second attempt to dismantle the tent.
UC Davis Police received one report of assault. No medical aid was requested, and no arrests have been made. The police are currently investigating the incident.
Despite the disruption, the scheduled event proceeded as planned and concluded without further incident. The university emphasized that it protected the free speech rights of all campus community members throughout the event.
Student Affairs, Safety Services, and other campus departments had coordinated with Turning Point USA at UC Davis in advance to develop a safety plan for the gathering. The university is currently reviewing its safety protocols in light of the incident.
“UC Davis condemns all forms of violence,” the university said in a statement. “We support our students’ rights to invite speakers, express their views, and peacefully protest ideas they find offensive or objectionable. All speech activities must comply with the law and campus policies ensuring safe and lawful access to university programs and facilities.”
No surprise here. While the leftist agitators claim their free speech is being shut down what do they do, try to shut down free speech. I guess they believe only free speech they agree with is allowed? Obviously they don’t see the irony.
“Why Trump has Sacramento State, UC Davis students and faculty afraid for free speech”
Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/education/article302550129.html#storylink=cpy“
This is a valid “both sides” issue. “Both sides” complain about the other side suppressing their free speech. “Both sides” are correct about, but ignore it in the inverse.
Funny, but I don’t see it as both sides at the UC Davis campus. It always seems to be the left trying to shut down conservative speech. Yesterday Beth Bourne was attacked by leftist agitators, I hear they are called Transtifa. Why isn’t the Vanguard up in arms about this? You know if conservatives had done this to a left leaning group the Vanguard would be all over it.
You’re just proving my point.
BTW, I did defend Beth’s right to speak until her speech in my view crossed line from speech to harassment of people. I mean, at the last council meeting you berated a Davis Police officer who happened to be in the room. That’s no longer free speech.
How is that proving your point? Beth wasn’t trying to shut down the protesters, she was simply videoing them with her phone. They were there to shut down and attack the USA Turning Point event, tore down their tent and attacked Beth Bourne.
And her posting photos and blasting teachers in social media posts and her berating people in public? We can go on and on. It’s a whole package.
And why are you only focusing on Beth rather than the entire picture, we have students being arrested and facing deportation because they protested on college campuses – that’s my point – you’re focusing on one incident/ individual and ignoring everything else going on.
I’m for free speech, I lectured in college campus about Milo’s right to speak on campus, I disagree with the students trying to shut down Turning Point, but you’re only focused on one direction. That’s my point and that’s what you proved.
All you’re doing is deflecting. What the leftist protesters did yesterday should be condemned, plain and simple. Your whataboutism is laughable.
DG say: “I mean, at the last council meeting you berated a Davis Police officer who happened to be in the room.”
Wait, WHAT? KO berated a police officer? I don’t recall that. Oh, wait, I missed the last CC meeting. When did this happen, I’ll have to watch it?
Not Keith, Beth
“Not Keith, Beth”
Oh, that makes more sense. Or, just another Tuesday night. But isn’t ‘berating a police officer’ free speech? I mean, seems kind of unwise and wrong venue, but very BB. Can you give the time stamp or the agenda item so I can watch that ? I agree, as you, to defend the free speech, but if she has crossed the line legally that should be a legal matter. I’m sure her alleged sins can dealt with through restorative justice :-|
I despise BB’s tactics and demeanor, but political violence is the step too far in two steps, Step 1 is vandalism/property, and Step 2 is physical violence (an order of magnitude worse). BB couldn’t be more annoying and in the face of the masked protestors in the Quad vid, and my impression is she’s all but asking to be attacked — she’s right next to masked protestors, getting in their way and I’m sure she’s aware of how disliked she is.
But annoying is not justification for a slap or punch, and in my book the one who throws the punch loses. But as with most of these incidents in Davis, idiots attacking idiots representing 5-10% extremes. It makes it look like the sane aren’t the majority, and I still believe they are . . . I mean we are . . . I mean they are :-|
The masks have got to go :-( As I’ve said before and will say again, Elan On is in the Top 5 in my most-despised human beings book.
“This is a valid “both sides” issue.”
Even when you admit both sides is valid, you get it wrong DG. You and I agreed on the Pepper Spray incident. Students were nonviolent throughout. No students attacked anyone. The side that is wrong is the side that throws the punch:
https://x.com/EYakoby/status/1908157039861227531
Who attacked who here, physically, DG? I’ve been to these events on campus and watched numerous tapes. This group and their affiliates despise journalists and citizens documenting what they are doing and attack just like in this video.
I want to see you try to justify that. Go ahead . . . I’m waiting . . .
Did you miss this: ” I disagree with the students trying to shut down Turning Point”
I did :-(
David, your first instinct was to deflect and try to make this a both sides issue. Yesterday was not about both sides. I hope they can identify the person who struck Beth and press charges.
Thugs providing even more justification for Trump to withhold/eliminate funding for universities.
Where’s the campus police?
David says, “I mean, at the last council meeting you berated a Davis Police officer who happened to be in the room. That’s no longer free speech.”
How is that “not” free speech?
The University reported that Beth was an “observer” at the event, but she definitely was not. She tried to block the protesters (getting hit in the process). She taunted and jeered at protesters and students, and, it is reported in the Aggie’s reporting, laid her hands on a student and attempted to restrain them after an extended heated argument with the student. She is a staff member at UC Davis and should not be engaging with students in a heated fashion ever.
Chancellor May’s action to create an independent panel to investigate and report is appropriate.
https://theaggie.org/2025/04/04/turning-point-usa-event-results-in-multiple-physical-altercations/
“it is reported in the Aggie’s reporting, laid her hands on a student and attempted to restrain them after an extended heated argument with the student.”
From the Aggie article you cited, here’s the entire paragraph:
“Later that day, as Tatum continued speaking with students, Bourne laid hands on a student after a prolonged verbal altercation. Bourne attempted to hold the student back after having had one of her demonstration signs taken away, but ultimately was unsuccessful.”
So from reading this it sounds like Beth was trying to prevent the theft of her signage. Hopefully there’s video of this too so the ultimate truth can come out.
No excuse. She gets in people’s faces and screams at them, always with her phone camera and/or her signs. If a person reacts, she accuses them of violating her free speech. She obviously has been coached to use these props. But if people try to leave, she chases after them.
We’re talking about what actually took place at this event. Nobody has the right to strike someone. As far as Beth having her phone out thankfully it gives her some actual evidence to pull from, not just innuendo.
Yeah! No conflation!
Just a note – Beth is currently banned from DJUSD properties for 2 weeks (until April 16) after verbally attacking a Davis Adult School art instructor on Monday night on the High School campus, screaming at him and chasing him out to his car in the parking lot.
Statement from District Attorney Jeff Reisig on UC Davis Attack on April 3, 2025
Woodland, CA — I condemn the violence that occurred yesterday on the campus at the University of California at Davis. The attack directed at a peaceful student-sponsored event was outrageous and clearly criminal. This hateful conduct will not be tolerated in our community.
The Yolo County District Attorney’s office is committed to working closely with state and federal law enforcement to investigate this matter and bring all the offenders to justice.
There are clear indications from the evidence, including video footage of the crime, that this was a coordinated effort, which makes it a felony under California law. Conviction of such a crime carries up to three years imprisonment.
My office is steadfastly dedicated to protecting freedom of speech and the right of peaceful assembly for everyone. Efforts to attack or undermine these fundamental rights have no place in our free society.
Individuals who have information regarding this incident are encouraged to contact investigators at the University of California Davis Police Department. (530) 752-1727
“The Yolo County District Attorney’s office is committed to working closely with state and federal law enforcement to investigate this matter and bring all the offenders to justice.”
I love it. Go get em Reisig.
You’re applauding the throw away line
Throw away line?
“The Yolo County District Attorney’s office is committed to working closely with state and federal law enforcement to investigate “””this””” matter and bring all the offenders to justice.”
If it was a throw away line it would’ve read “all”.
It’s like when they say, we will catch them and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.
Strong language in Trump times to avoid threatened cuts in funding called for by Kirk and Musk. The DA’s office did nothing when students were pepper sprayed years ago, but times are different.
The students were pepper sprayed by cops, a bit of a different dynamic. Not excusing that at all or saying there shouldn’t have been criminal penalties, but to some degree they were doing what they were told. Personally I think Linda Katehi should have been rewarded with some time behind bars, rather than being demoted to an easier job at the same $450k chancellor’s salary. The fired cops were largely, not completely, scapegoats to deflect the bad administrative decisions. But try arresting a University chancellor for conspiracy to make stupid decisions.
UC Davis said: “The event with the guest speaker took place on schedule and was completed without further incident. The university protected the free speech rights of the campus community throughout the event.”
Protecting the free speech rights is good. How about following the giant tent and the people attached to it ?
I am “offended” by the “Whose University . . . ” chant in this context. This chant was used when the entire Quad was filled with thousands of student the day after the Pepper Spray incident — where literally peaceful protestors with sprayed with pepper spray like weeds. No way this group that vandalizes and punches should appropriate this chant.
Sharla says: “The University reported that Beth was an “observer” at the event, but she definitely was not. She tried to block the protesters (getting hit in the process).”
The individual chasing after Beth and hitting her in the head committed a crime. It’s really that simple.
So did the people tearing down the booth, no doubt.
That other guy who pushed the bicyclist is more questionable.
“That other guy who pushed the bicyclist is more questionable.”
I can somewhat agree but when you’re with a mob and that mob is tearing down and damaging someone’s property that person might take action.
One thing is for sure, UC Davis is now on Trump’s radar. If that’s what Cops Off Campus (COC) wanted, that’s what they got. Except, like Hamas provoking Israel, the people are going to suffer when the big guns show up. So how about walking along with the big tent and the people attached until you get a few other cops to help out with the arrests?
I went to the Charlie Kirk event to watch the clashes, and there were 80 cops in riot gear up against a similar number from COC. It looks like UCD’s ‘safety plan’ for the same group was two cops who were ordered to ‘watch and do nothing’ ?
And where’s that mask ban ?
Alan M. “I went to the Charlie Kirk event to watch the clashes, . . .”
That’s always the best (only) reason to go to these things. Though I’d prefer to do so on video, after-the-fact.
“So how about walking along with the big tent and the people attached until you get a few other cops to help out with the arrests?”
Exactly. I saw a video of some guy asking the cops to take action.
I’ll post a link when I can find time.
This is the “Battle of the Bullies”. It was only a matter of time before one side or the other threw the first punch. Beth Bourne is a provocateur for a cause that bullies a portion of our community. The black-shirted guys are always up for a fight. Put the two of them together and what could possibly go wrong? This entire issue has caused me to reflect even more on what is going on underneath. I’m feeling more and more that in light of the small number of trans gender people who want to play sports that this is somehow more about money than culture war. Another way of looking at it is, what if all sports were co-ed, without the dollars involved? There seems to be a pervasive undercurrent of monetizing sports that sucks in scholarship hopefuls who are desperate to secure at least a bottom rung on the ladder. I think we’d see the same thing if any person with freckles did better at sports….no freckles allowed on the team!
I believe you are the first person to mention a transgender-issue aspect to this in anything I’ve read. BB shows up for all sorts of stuff and makes everything about her issue d’jour, but was that the subject of the TPUSA talk? Regardless, the freckles comparison isn’t working for me.
“I think we’d see the same thing if any person with freckles did better at sports….no freckles allowed on the team!”
Terrible analogy.
It’s a good analogy and one that people who are critical of the trans gender issue should think about instead of simply reacting to. Having freckles is not something one chooses, but is born with. Transgender individuals have a reality that you might not understand but it is no more chosen by them than their freckles or lack of them. The only reason this is an issue, in my opinion, is that the underlying monetization of sports ups the ante on what it means to excel in a sport. Nobody cares if transgender individuals play intramural or recreational sports. It’s only when the competition gets “serious” that it seems to matter. Why is it “serious”? I have a teen-age granddaughter who plays ultimate frisbee with teams that vary in their competitiveness. But all are welcome. All I’m saying is maybe our fascination and obsessive compulsive disorder approach to sports is the problem. BB has taken up the cudgels because she’s hurting with respect to her daughter and doesn’t have a better, healthier way to relate to her. Tiny in mind and spirit.
Tatum’s view:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZgzxygfVeA
Someone else I never heard of until those way way on the far left did something that let me know they exist. See: Charlie Kirk a couple years back was going to be in a small room until Cops Off Campus and affiliated groups (Tatum says Antifa) said how dangerous his speech was and had to be shut down. So they moved it to the Rec Hall and hired 80 cops in riot gear to protect the now large crowd. I’d never heard of Charlie Kirk or Turning Point before that.
Tatum is saying what a lot of us were saying about the police response. So who looks dangerous now?
Someone just gave me an update that the Musk/Vance tweets of the event have now reached over 50 million people.
Remember when we were known for having dangerous cops and powerful, peaceful students? (see Pepper Spray Incident)
Now UC Davis is know for wussy cops and dangerous students.
I’m not saying that’s what the majority like 99.9% of students are, I’m saying that is now how the world is going to see us now. When the Powerful and Peaceful *allow* the vandals and the violent to lurk, this is what happens.
Do you know they were students who assaulted Beth?
I am saying that is how they’ve been portrayed in the media, so until/unless they are caught, that will be the perception. From information I’ve gleaned from people-in-the-know and first-hand experience from past incidents, the group is both students and non students.
This isn’t a free speech issue at all. The first amendment only applies to the government not to a mob. This is a case of assault and battery.
I totally agree with Ron Glick. There’s no way the actions of that mob can be justified. I hear the FBI is now on the case.
And yet, when you have a masked mob, individual persons making up that mob are not so easily identified and prosecuted. Especially when the cops don’t follow them. Especially when students and faculty don’t follow and surround them and shame them and identify them. Had they been followed, and arrested, there was probably enough identifying information on their black clothes and other gear that the direct perps could be identified from the videos. Harder once they have dropped their masks. Such a fail on the part of UC Davis. In 2011 they are too aggressive, in 2025 they are too weak. I blamed Linda Katehi in 2011, I blame Gary May today.
The FBI might have ways of identifying the culprits. I’m sure the campus has many cameras which may show a vehicle that some of them used or it’s possible one of them turns informer and outs their comrades. We’ll have to wait and see. I’ll bet many of the mob are nervous today once they heard Reisig and the FBI are pursuing this. Shouldn’t have resorted to violence.