Left-wing thugs in fight at hard-Right student debate
A UNIVERSITY debate on free speech descended into violence after masked hard-Left ‘anti-fascist’ protesters forced their way into a lecture hall.
A security guard was punched in the face and a smoke bomb detonated as demonstrators stormed the controversial event held by the Libertarian Society of King’s College London.
The thugs, who were wearing hoods and balaclavas, then barged on to the stage, snatched the microphone and handed a threatening note to the chairman.
Footage on the internet shows fights breaking out between protesters carrying an ‘anti-fascist’ flag and attendees.
Speakers at the event on Monday night included the American, Dr Yaron Brook, of the Ayn Rand Institute, and controversial video blogger Carl Benjamin, who has been accused of being anti-feminist.
Critics say the Ayn Rand Institute, which campaigns on free speech, holds extreme views, particularly against Islam.
The protest was organised by King’s College student campaign groups including Demilitarise King’s, the Action Palestine Society, the Kashmir Solidarity Movement and Socialist Students.
Organisers claimed the speakers had to be silenced to protect women and minority groups because they were ‘alt-Right’ – a US term used to describe hard-Right groups that emerged in the internet age.
Advertising for the protest is thought to have gone viral on the internet.
A number of the protesters told witnesses they were from the so-called Antifa – or ‘anti-fascist’ movement – which has a reputation for violence.
But Dr Brook said: ‘They represent nothing. They are barbaric thugs using violence to silence people.’
Tom Walker, who helped to organise the event, said: ‘This group of youths clad in black started running into the lecture theatre, jumping all over, waving flags, megaphones. It was terrifying.
‘There were fights going on two feet from my face and people were shouting angrily.
‘They were chanting, “No fascists on campus”, and, “No free speech for the alt-Right”.’
Sid Wilson, who was also at the talk, added: ‘Outside the lecture hall they had smashed windows, jumped over barricades and knocked out a security guard.’
Yesterday, a King’s College security guard confirmed that one of his colleagues had been sent to A&E, adding: ‘One was hurt. He’s still in hospital.’
The protesters were eventually thrown out by security guards with the help of police, but the event had to be cancelled on the grounds of safety.
Danny Al-khafaji, the chairman of the event, said he was handed a threatening note written by protesters which said: ‘The guy moderating the talk is on my course and he’ll have a difficult time.’
He added: ‘This was an explicit attempt by those opposed to the free exchange of ideas and rational debate to undermine the principle of freedom of speech.
‘Whether the audience disagreed or agreed with the speakers, they were free to listen to the speakers’ opinions and make up their own mind. Audience members were shouted at and pushed around, called fascists and neo-nazis for ironically attending an event that was heavily focused on freedom of speech.’ Professor Edward Byrne, the university’s principal, confirmed that security staff and attendees were injured by ‘aggressive and violent’ protesters.
He said: ‘The whole event was a frightening experience for everybody who was there.
‘Providing an environment for open and uncensored debate on issues, even when controversial and conflicting views are likely to be aired, is an integral way that King’s can create an open and inspiring place to learn.
‘We cannot, and will not, tolerate the use of violent protest in any situation. The injuries sustained by our security staff and the physical violence on display are totally unacceptable.’
He said police were investigating. The Metropolitan Police said there had not been any arrests.
‘Using violence to silence people’