BERKELEY — ​Milo Yiannopoulos’ much-hyped “Free Speech Week” turned into a free-for-all Sunday between supporters of the conservative bad boy and anti-fascist protesters who clashed in mostly peaceful nose-to-nose shouting matches throughout the streets of Berkeley.

Related Articles UC Berkeley’s ‘Free Speech Week’ canceled, appeared to be a set-up But the provocateur’s 15-minute, blink-and-it-was-over appearance in heavily fortified Sproul Plaza was anything but free for the campus that has been under assault by conservatives challenging its claim as the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement.

UC Berkeley spent about $800,000 on a massive security detail that drew police from eight law enforcement agencies and campuses across the state.

“It feels like probably the most expensive photo opp in the university’s history,” said UC Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulof.

Wearing an American flag hoodie under a jean jacket and his ubiquitous sunglasses, Yiannopoulos signed autographs, posed for selfies, sang the National Anthem and chatted informally with about 150 supporters, many donning “Make America Great Again” hats, as counter-protesters and members of the media watched from behind barricades.

Without a public address system, it wasn’t clear what Yiannopoulos told the crowd in brief remarks that substituted as a kickoff to his Free Speech Week, which a sponsoring student group canceled on Saturday. After about 15 minutes, his security detail whisked him through protesters to a white GMC Yukon outside Barrows Hall — and just like that, he was gone.

Dozens of people still waiting in line to pass through metal detectors to see the former Breitbart News columnist were not even aware he had shown up. About 700 to 800 people were outside the barricades when Yiannopoulos spoke, UC Berkeley Police Chief Margo Bennett said.

With entourage of bodyguards Milo gets in GMC Yukon with Utah plates and he's out. pic.twitter.com/tzGaBlxRb0 — David DeBolt (@daviddebolt) September 24, 2017

Marco Gutierrez, a Trump supporter who came from Discovery Bay, was one of them. Frustrated by the long security line, he was disappointed he didn’t get in.

“When we try to do anything that resembles conservative activism,” he said, “it’s hard.”

Plastic orange barricades surrounded the plaza as police in riot gear encountered a raucous crowd of protesters who started gathering two hours before the event, exchanging tense words in shouting matches that began anew after Yiannopoulos’ quick visit. Afterward, protesters spilled into the streets for impromptu marches.

Vacaville PD, Solano County cops here. As a native of Vacaville, I can safely say they have little protest experience. #FreeSpeechWeek pic.twitter.com/HejWZxrCnO — David DeBolt (@daviddebolt) September 24, 2017

A student group, By Any Means Necessary, celebrated Yiannopoulos’ hasty exit from campus.

“It was beautiful. We basically pacified a violent situation by sticking together for unity and community against racists and bigots,” said Richard Alvarado, 27, a member of the student group.

Police announced four arrests after the noon protests, but by late afternoon there were no reports of injuries. Later in the afternoon, at Berkeley’s Civic Center Park, police took at least seven people into custody, including four dressed in black-bloc gear typical of antifa leftist activists and detained one man in a “Make America Great Again” hat who was carrying a wooden shield after a dispute over an American flag.

Attempts to reach Yiannopoulos by phone after his appearance were unsuccessful, but he complained on Facebook that police had thwarted many of his supporters’ efforts to enter Sproul Plaza.

“A yelling protester made it impossible for any of our speakers to be heard,” he said, blaming Berkeley officials for not allowing amplified sound. He also said he was told to evacuate after antifa showed up. University officials said Yiannopoulos and his entourage left on their own.

At a news conference, Bennett said the makeshift security line into Sproul Plaza was delayed when police stopped one person trying to pass through the metal detector with plastic brass-style knuckles, she said.

Two other speakers from the Free Speech Week lineup, anti-Islam writer Pamela Geller and conspiracy theorist Mike Cernovich, also showed up Sunday. Clashes began hours before their appearance.

Trump supporters, hoisting signs with slogans such as “Stop Liberal Intolerance,” shouted it out with counter-protesters, yelling “No KKK, No fascists USA,”

“We’re standing up today to keep Nazis off our campus,” one protester yelled from a bullhorn, calling on others to take a knee to block Yiannopoulos supporters from Sproul Plaza.

The two sides also clashed over President Trump’s controversial tweet calling on fans to boycott the NFL if players continue kneeling during the National Anthem.

https://twitter.com/karlmondon/status/912010605774512128

Sunday’s showdown in Berkeley came after weeks of hype over plans by Berkeley Patriot, a conservative student group, to bring a who’s who of provocative speakers to campus to challenge the famously progressive university’s tolerance to host alternative speakers. But one of the speakers on Saturday claimed in an email exchange with a UC Berkeley official obtained by the Bay Area News Group that the event was nothing but a publicity stunt from the start.

Ahead of Sunday, campus police released a list of prohibited items, including weapons and anything that could be used as a weapon. Backpacks and masks were also banned — although some in the crowd donned masks.

Baracades around Sproul Plaza for whatever is supposed to happen today at #FreeSpeechWeek pic.twitter.com/h2QV3SDGmm — Thomas Peele (@thomas_peele) September 24, 2017

The city of Berkeley on Sunday also said it would ban sticks, pipes and other items that could be used in a riot from three city parks — Civic Center Park, Ohlone Park and Willard Park. Earlier this year, protesters used the park to gather and practice fighting maneuvers.

Self-proclaimed “American Nationalist,” Kyle Chapman of Daly City was arrested after a Trump rally in March in Berkeley and charged with carrying a leaded cane. He was back for Sunday’s speech.

“I just expect to support Milo,” said Chapman before entering the plaza.

Yiannopoulos has made a career of insulting people online with racist and sexist diatribes. He promised to rattle UC Berkeley with four days of speakers — including conservative commentator Ann Coulter and former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon — after his plans to speak on campus in February were canceled amid violent protests. While the student group sponsoring the event announced Saturday it was pulling out of Free Speech Week, Yiannopoulos vowed to show up Sunday anyway with a big surprise.

“I think he’s here to provoke the left, and the left takes the bait,” said Dave Gottfried, who was manning an “empathy tent” nearby and hoping to convince people with different views to hear each other out.

Yiannopoulos supporters came from far and wide Sunday to hear him speak.

“He speaks his mind,” said Cory Marx, 23, who drove up from Temecula wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat. Of the protesters, he said: “If they want to protest, God bless ’em, that’s what free speech is about.”

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Why no break on UC tuition despite the move to remote classes? COVID-19 costs are astronomical Shanol Bajrami, a student at the Graduate Theological Union in north Berkeley, worried that Sunday would spark the same turmoil the last time Yiannopoulos came to campus when “the whole city went up in chaos. It doesn’t accomplish anything.”

Students and faculty say they are frustrated with the time and resources spent to facilitate Yiannopoulos’s appearance on campus. Some students attempted to go about their weekends. One, finding a set of typically open student union doors locked, shouted an expletive before shaking his head and walking away.

As rallies continued into the afternoon Sunday, university officials turned their attention to the rest of the week. It isn’t clear whether organizers will try to pull off other Free Speech Week events, but Bennett said officers are monitoring social media. “We’re going to be ready if necessary.”

Alt right dude ready for action at #FreeSpeechWeek pic.twitter.com/eE6DMsiDV0 — Thomas Peele (@thomas_peele) September 24, 2017