Eleven people were arrested outside New York University’s student center during violent protests over a speech by conservative commentator Gavin McInnes. Students and ‘antifa’ protesters clashed with supporters of McInnes and President Donald Trump.
The Canadian-born McInnes was invited to speak by the NYU College Republicans on Thursday evening. Outside the student center, protesters and activists repeatedly clashed with members of ‘ProudBoys,’ a fraternal order founded by McInnes, and Trump supporters who came to his defense.
“I’m dumbfounded that NYU would invite somebody who is a hate speaker,” NYU student Tama Fine told WNBC.
McInnes said he was pepper-sprayed when entering the student center, which prompted the first melee to break out between his followers and protesters.
New York police officers stepped in to form a barrier between the protesters and McInnes supporters.