Berkeley Hate Crime Against Conservative Activist Now Before the Courts
While the political class and mainstream media were in hysterics over the fake hate crime against privileged Empire actor Jussie Smollet, a real hate crime against a young conservative activist occurred at the University of Calfornia, Berkeley.
On February 19 conservative activist Hayden Williams was punched by an aggressive progressive male who dare we say exhibited all the traits of toxic masculinity after he was triggered by Williams’ signs that said “Hate crime hoaxes hurt real victims,” and another read, “This is MAGA Country.”
Williams filmed the assault which began with another male accusing him “fucking encouraging violence” and then right on cue the attacker identified as 28 year old Zachary Greenberg begins to push and punch him while calling him “racist motherfucker” and would “shoot his ass.” Greenberg then finishes with a final blow to Williams’ face before walking off and calling him a “fucking cunt”.
It has been argued that Williams intended to provoke a hostile response from Berkeley students with his controversial signs, and shouldn’t have even been at the campus given he was not a student.
However it has now been revealed Greenberg is not a current student at Berkeley either and was previously a “non-degree seeking student. Berkeley is a open campus and does not bar outsiders from visiting it without a valid reason.
Williams’ business at Berkeley was representing the Leadership Institute in helping students of the campus’ Turning Point USA chapter, a conservative student activist organization aiming to expose left-wing bias at universities.
Provocation should never be a defence to assault, especially when such provocation is simply a political statement you disagree with. It should be noted that Berkeley has repeatedly been the scene of left wing political violence whenever conservative voices have tried to make themselves heard.
After the university sent out an all campus email asking for information about the attack Greenberg was arrested and charged with assault, battery and criminal threats, three felony and one misdemeanor charge in total. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Greenberg’s Attorney Alanna Coopersmith has argued “He has a clean record. I realize that many people observing this case are interested in constitutional freedom. I would remind them that one important constitutional freedom is the presumption of innocence”.
However it has been revealed that Greenberg has had previously dealings with the court system in civil cases. He has been ordered to not contact Williams and is not allowed within 100 yards of the Berkeley campus.
Williams has spoken about the assault with many media outlets and it has received extensive coverage in the conservative press.
He appeared on Fox News’ Inghram Angle program to say that while he was pleased justice was taking its course UC Berekley still fostered an anti-free speech culture that allowed such an assault to occur and be justified. He said was also not deterred from continuing his activism.
He also penned an op-ed for USA Today titled ‘I was assaulted at Berkeley because I’m conservative. Free speech is under attack’ which goes onto discuss’ the fact that ‘Conservative students across the country have suffered verbal and physical assault, social ostracism and even academic persecution for voicing their opinions on political topics’ and that ‘increasingly, leftists believe they are justified to respond to ideas disagreeable to them with open hostility and even force’.
Williams was invited to the annual Conservative Political Action Conference where he not only received a shout out during President Trump’s speech when the topic of free speech on campus came up, but was invited by Trump on stage to address the revering crowd. Trump said of Williams “He took a hard punch in the face for all of us”.
Trump finished his address by announcing his intention to sign an executive order that requires Universities across America to respect free speech on campus as a condition of receiving federal funding.
For once an aggressive progressive activist is facing justice for their extreme and violent conduct. Let us hope the punch Hayden Williams took marks a turning point for in the battle for free speech and the right to be free from political violence for expressing an opinion.