Last night, a talk being delivered by white supremacist Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos at the UC Berkeley campus drew thousands of protesters intent on shutting down his racist hate speech advocating for the removal of sanctuary cities that offer some modicum of protection for undocumented immigrants. Chants of “Shut it down!” and “Immigrants are welcome here!” were heard throughout the event. The police presence was heavy and intent on dispersing the crowds while at the same time protecting the racists and white supremacists seeking to attend and promote the event.
Their efforts were in vain, however, as the event was shut down when the crowd grew more numerous and militant. A spotlight generator was set on fire and a sound system playing YG’s famous “F**k Donald Trump” could be heard. The atmosphere became more jubilant upon the announcement by the police that the event had been canceled. A protester at the action was interviewed and stated, “It is good to see that so many people have come to stand in solidarity against him speaking, and I think it sends an important message.”
In a demonstration of cowardice and moral bankruptcy, the UC Berkeley Regents defended Milo’s presence on the campus and condemned the protests. The so-called Alt-Right, which is simply a rebranding of the same old white-supremacist movement, uses arguments defending “free speech” as an excuse to advocate for sexism, racism and genocide. The ruling-class establishment quickly falls in line with the rhetoric.
Even as I write these words, Yiannopoulos is being interviewed by CNN, which has shown no interest in the anti-racist movements that organized the events. In this interview, he is “rallying white supremacists,” to quote CNN. Moreover, anyone who thinks that “free speech” advocating racism and violence is harmless has only to look at the recent election of Donald Trump, who would have never been a serious candidate had not CNN provided him hours of free media coverage during his campaign. To quote the CEO of CBS: “Trump may be bad for America. But he is great for CBS.”
Progressive-minded people must be aware not to fall into the trap of the free speech argument. What people like Yiannopoulos, his Breitbart cohort Steve Bannon and Trump advocate would result in the deaths and suffering of many millions of people if they were allowed to carry them out in full. It is only by militant action in the streets that this rising tide can be broken and pushed back. We cannot argue against white supremacy, because it is not a rational argument. It is born of the worst elements of capitalism, which seeks the exploitation of people, especially people of color, in order to reap super-profits. It was not spirited debate that broke the back of the Nazi Empire but the lives of many millions of Soviet soldiers. When CNN and UC Berkeley provide major visibility to these movements by interviewing them and giving them a place to speak, they are empowering them to organize and unite, an essential step in any fascist movement. When these institutions shed crocodile tears for the “free speech” of white supremacists, they betray how they are complicit in the rise and success of these movements.
We have come to a time in U.S. history where it is a radical act to declare that white supremacy and fascism are unacceptable and should never be tolerated. Yet, as the people of Berkeley showed last night, we are up to the task. The people will not quietly go back to a time when women, people of color, and non-Christians were given a second-class citizen status. More than that, we will use this right-wing attack to embolden us to demand even further rights and protections for immigrants, women, LGBTQ people, and people of color.
The Trump administration has empowered white-supremacist movements whose leaders think they have the left by the throat. The people must mobilize and, with militant action, show them they have gripped a tiger by the tail. This action is even now breaking out across the U.S. in airports, universities and cities everywhere. Berkeley has joined the fight and the Party for Socialism and Liberation stands in solidarity with those who fight against racism, sexism, bigotry, and everything Milo Yiannopoulos stands for.
