A confrontation between a self-described Trump supporter and an individual associated with ANTIFA erupted into a physical altercation late Friday afternoon at UC Berkeley, according to police and witness reports.
The clash took place near the main campus gates during what began as a small protest. Witnesses say tensions quickly escalated when words were exchanged between the two men. Moments later, a scuffle broke out, drawing a large crowd of onlookers and prompting a rapid response from university police.
Video footage shared online shows the two men wrestling on the ground before officers intervened to separate them. The Trump supporter was seen bleeding from the face and claimed the altercation began when the other man allegedly tried to grab his phone.
Authorities say both individuals were taken into custody and are expected to face misdemeanor assault charges. The full details of the incident remain under investigation, and police have not confirmed which party initiated the fight.
Several people reportedly attempted to interfere with the arrest of one of the individuals, an act witnesses described as an effort to “de-arrest” him — a common protest tactic where activists try to pull a detainee away from police custody.
UC Berkeley officials released a short statement condemning the violence and reiterating that political disagreements must be expressed peacefully and without confrontation.
This is not the first time demonstrations at the university have turned tense. In recent years, the campus has seen several politically charged protests that escalated into clashes between opposing groups.