President Trump threatened to cut federal funding to UC Berkeley - the nation's top ranked public university - over demonstrations at the campus over a speech planned by alt-right leader Milo Yiannopoulos
Protestors watch a fire on Sproul Plaza during a rally against the scheduled speaking appearance by Breitbart News editor Milo Yiannopoulos
Milo Yiannopoulos was due to speak at the University of California at Berkeley before the violent protests broke out
Protesters tore down barricades, let off fireworks and set the campus ablaze during the furious protests over the conservative Breitbart editor.
Hundreds rallied against Yiannopoulos in a demonstration which turned violent and destructive, with protesters vandalizing dozens of businesses and smashing storefront windows. University police locked down all buildings and responded with tear gas and rubber bullets, according to witness reports.
Yiannopoulos himself later posted a video complaining that UC Berkley was 'no friend to free speech any more.'
The journalist said he had been planning to speak about cultural appropriation but claims his speech was over taken by the 'hard left.'
'It turns out the progressive left... which has become so antithetical to free speech has taken a turn post Trump's election. Where they simply will not allow any speaker on campus even someone as silly and harmless and gay as me, to have their voice heard.
'They are absolutely petrified by alternative visions of how the world could look.'
He added that it was both 'ironic and sad' that the campus was the home of the free speech movement, but it was 'no friend to freer speech any more.'
'I am of course not the racist or sexist or anything else that the posters that they put up claim that I am.'
University police confirmed that the campus was on lockdown as they reported they were bringing in extra resources to tackle the 'violent demonstration.'
'Milo event cancelled. Shelter in place if on campus. All campus buildings on lockdown. #miloatcal,' they tweeted.
The 32-year-old right-wing provocateur is a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump and a self-proclaimed internet troll whose comments have been criticized as racist, misogynist, anti-Muslim and white supremacist. He was banned from Twitter after leading a harassment campaign against 'Ghostbusters' actress Leslie Jones.
Several of Yiannopoulos' talks at other campuses have been canceled due to protests or security reasons.
The Breitbart editor wrote on Facebook that he and his team were safe after being evacuated from campus.
Protesters have tore down barricades, let off fireworks and set the campus ablaze during furious protests against speech by conservative Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos at UC Berkeley
Eddy Brock, who says he is a free speech advocate, was supposedly attacked by demonstrators protesting against Breitbart News editor Milo Yiannopoulos
University of California at Berkeley police guard the building where Breitbart News editor Milo Yiannopoulos was to speak Wednesday
Graffiti which reads 'Kill Trump' was scrawled on a pillar by protesters who were against a scheduled speaking appearance by Yiannopoulos
Hundreds flooded the streets while a small group of people with their faces covered broke windows, hurled fireworks at police officers and threw smoke bombs
A protesters holds up a sign which reads 'Make racists afraid again' during the demonstration
The protest turned violent around 6pm when a group of demonstrators dressed all in black and wearing masks soaked in milk - to protect against tear gas - emerged from the crowd
Demonstrators held up banners which read 'Become ungovernable' at the UC Berkeley protest
Police reportedly opened fire on demonstrators using non-lethal bullets during the uproar on campus in California
Yiannopoulos's speech been cancelled amid the chaos and he has been evacuated, according to a post on his social media. UC Police, Berkeley confirmed that the campus was on lockdown
People protesting controversial Breitbart writer Milo Yiannopoulos march in the street on February 1, 2017 in Berkeley, California
A man with a horn addresses protesters Wednesday night in Berkeley, California
The protests turned violent with some damaging local businesses in the fury
BERKELEY, CA - FEBRUARY 1: Grafitti urging people to use Signal, a highly-enctypted messaging app, is spray-painted on a wall during a protest on February 1, 2017 in Berkeley, California
Some of the protesters covered their faces with bandannas and ski masks to hide their identity
A woman urges people not to photograph the damage done to a Chase Bank on February 1, 2017 in Berkeley, California
Another protester appeared to ignite a flare on the protest route Wednesday night
BERKELEY, CA - FEBRUARY 1: People protesting controversial Breitbart writer Milo Yiannopoulos burn trash and cardboard in the street on February 1, 2017 in Berkeley, California
The communist sickle and hammer are seen spray-painted on a wall during the protest Wednesday night
Rainbow colors light up a building at UC Berkeley on February 1, 2017 in Berkeley, California
'I have been evacuated from the UC Berkeley campus after violent left-wing protestors tore down barricades, lit fires, threw rocks and Roman candles at the windows and breached the ground floor of the building,' he wrote.
'My team and I are safe. But the event has been cancelled. I'll let you know more when the facts become clear. One thing we do know for sure: the Left is absolutely terrified of free speech and will do literally anything to shut it down.'
He also claims that a Trump supporter wearing a Make American Great Again hat was assaulted and kicked while on the ground.
'This is what tolerance looks like at UC Berkeley,' said Mike Wright, a Berkeley College Republican member told SF Gate before someone threw paint on him. 'It's sad.'
The protest turned violent around 6pm when a group of demonstrators dressed all in black and wearing masks soaked in milk - to protect against tear gas - emerged from the cro
