University of California Berkeley cancels talk by right-wing commentator Ann Coulter, citing safety

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Political commentator Ann Coulter had been due to speak at the University of California, Berkeley, next week, but officials cancelled her appearance, citing safety concerns. Photo: TNS

Published: 10:09am, 20 Apr 2017Updated: 10:09am, 20 Apr 2017

The University of California at Berkeley has cancelled a talk by right-wing commentator Ann Coulter for fear it could turn violent, days after opponents and supporters of President Donald Trump clashed in the city.

The decision echoed a similar cancellation in February of a planned speech at the university by a right-wing provocateur and former Brietbart editor, Milo Yiannopoulos, following violent protests.

A spokesman for the university said the school’s College Republicans were informed late Tuesday that the April 27 event with Coulter had to be scrapped as the safety of the firebrand conservative commentator and the public could not be assured.

Commentator Ann Coulter said the University of California at Berkeley had sent her a long list of demands before cancelling her planned speech there. Photo: Reuters

“Unfortunately, (campus police) determined that, given currently active security threats, it is not possible to assure that the event could be held successfully,” according to a letter sent to the student group.

University spokesman Dan Mogulof said concern about security during the event mounted last week after posters appeared on the walls of campus buildings threatening disruptions.

He added that new “targeted threats” on two websites had also been discovered.