A chaotic scene and protest erupted outside the University of New Mexico as internet provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos arrived on campus for a speech.
“Shut it down, shut it down, shut it down,” protesters shouted.
“F-ck white supremacy,” they chanted over and over again, as people waited to enter the January 27 talk.
Milo protesters making their message loud and clear mere feet from attendees waiting to enter SUB. #UNM
Protesters posted videos and photos on social media. Some said police were arresting protesters. Others said protesters were getting out of hand. Police had taken “security precautions” in advance of the speech, reported ABC 7. Local television reporters said that someone threw patio furniture.
The College Republicans of UNM invited the Breitbart writer to the campus. Yiannopoulos is known for his incendiary comments about gays, minorities and other groups. He was banned from Twitter as a result. Protest groups at UNM organized on Facebook. The college president suspended a speaking fee for security costs before the event.
The Albuquerque Journal reported that “Bernalillo County Sheriff deputies in riot gear were called to break up” a protest numbering 250 people and one person was arrested after “a New Mexico State Police officer chased her down and took her into custody.” The newspaper reported that the arrest was prompted by someone throwing an object at deputies.
Protesters attempt to block Milo Yiannopoulos at loading doc of #UNM building t.co/MSv9OvP8Nk LIVE join the chat
Yiannopoulos has been on a tour of American campuses, causing controversy along the way. The point of tension often boils down to where the line between hate speech and freedom of speech intersect. Yiannopoulos is a conservative commentator affiliated with the Breitbart site. He’s been labeled by some a member of the “Alt Right.”
Police were in riot gear and on horseback.
Those don’t look like rubber bullets to me… #UNM #milounm @DailyLobo #protest
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Some managed to post photos from inside the event, where the mood seemed more jovial and laughter was heard.
However, controversy erupted over comments about Muslim students.
Others criticized the protesters on Twitter. Some said protesters were engaging in violence.
Here are more of the photos and videos being posted from the scene.
The Democratic Party of New Mexico released a statement condemning the event.
JUST IN: And now, a statement from the Democratic Party of New Mexico condemning Milo’s #UNM event.
Some protesters wore Anonymous masks.