Actor Rob Schneider criticizes UC Berkeley following Ann Coulter cancellation

HOLLYWOOD, CA - APRIL 06: Actor Rob Schneider attends the premiere of 'Sandy Wexler' at ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome on April 6, 2017 in Hollywood, California. HOLLYWOOD, CA - APRIL 06: Actor Rob Schneider attends the premiere of 'Sandy Wexler' at ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome on April 6, 2017 in Hollywood, California. Photo: (Photo By Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic) Photo: (Photo By Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic) Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close Actor Rob Schneider criticizes UC Berkeley following Ann Coulter cancellation 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

San Francisco-born actor Rob Schneider, perhaps most famous for his roles on "Saturday Night Live" and movies including "The Hot Chick," and "The Waterboy," took to Twitter Wednesday to criticize UC Berkeley for its handling of a controversial appearance by conservative pundit Ann Coulter.

Schneider, who has voiced conservative viewpoints in the past, seemed to be condemning the East Bay university for its failure to hold a talk featuring Coulter.

"UC Berkeley, after your [sic] done eliminating speech you don't like & words you don't like what's next?" he wrote in a tweet. "Maybe add burning books to the curriculum."

UC Berkeley, after your done eliminating speech you don't like & words you don't like what's next?

Maybe add burning books to the curriculum — Rob Schneider (@RobSchneider) April 26, 2017

Earlier that day, he also tweeted that "there's no greater calling for Americans in the 21st century" than "freedom of thought, speech, conscience & informed consent to medical risk taking."

Cal Berkeley canceled Coulter's scheduled appearance, primarily due to concerns about violence.

However, though the school subsequently attempted to reschedule Coulter's speech, the Young America's Foundation and nonpartisan BridgeUSA — two groups financially sponsoring the event — withdrew support, leading Coulter to back out of the event.

Protests were underway Thursday at the UC Berkeley campus.

Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira.

