Conservative comedian Gavin McInnes was pepper-sprayed in New York City on Thursday, ahead of his appearance at New York University.

Protesters came out to demonstrate against the scheduled event featuring the co-founder of Vice Media. A crowd started fighting while McInnes arrived, video shows.

McInnes, a conservative, was supposed to speak to the NYU College Republicans, The New York Post reported.

An event page on Facebook from the NYU Anti-Fascists was called 'Disrupt Gavin McInnes at NYU'.

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Jason Miller tweeted this photograph, writing 'They are definitely people getting arrested'

McInnes, a conservative and the co-founder of Vice Media (he left the company in 2008), is pictured in March 2016

The page - which appears to have been taken down - reportedly said: 'Come to Kimmel, Rosenthal Pavilion to let NYU know that we will not stand for bigotry, racism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny on our campus.'

'Gavin McInnes has a long track record of using incendiary language to attract media attention and frenzy,' it was quoted as saying.

It purportedly said: 'Most recently, in December 2016, Gavin McInnes launched an informal group called the Proud Boys, an "anti racial guilt," anti-feminist organization.'

McInnes was pepper-sprayed ahead of going inside the building he was supposed to speak at, and received medical care

Police are seen outside in New York City on Thursday in this Instagram photograph

NYU Local said in a tweet: 'Arrests happening outside of Kimmel,' and posted photos of police officers in uniforms.

Jason Miller tweeted: 'Just saw 4 vans of cops unload outside of the NYU Anti-Fa protest of Gavin McInnes' talk.'

In another tweet, he said: 'They are threatening to arrest everyone in the herd now, each cop with roughly 8-10 zip ties in tow.'

McInnes was pepper-sprayed ahead of going inside and received medical care, according to Washington Square News.

Gizmodo reporter Anna Merlan tweeted: 'Crowd of antifa rushed McInnes as he walked into NYU. Cops shoved them back, took a guy to the ground. Guy in a MAGA hat threw a punch.'

In another tweet, Merlan said: 'Now crowd is chanting "Nazi scum your time has come." One mocking a cop for protecting him, adds "and your favorite rapper is Flo Rida!"'

Merlan also tweeted: 'Looked like someone might've been trying to spray something at McInnes? Hopefully Nair.'

In a Periscope video from NYU Local, McInnes was filmed talking about being pepper-sprayed.

He told the crowd, 'And then you get this sense of panic, where you're like "How do I know this isn't acid?" And then oh yeah, this isn't Islam.'

The remark was soon met with both cheers and jeers, the video revealed.

'Whose campus? Our campus!' people yelled inside the building.

Members of the New York Police Department are pictured outside in this image

A man is pictured being arrested by police, as onlookers stand nearby

Protesters are seen holding signs with various slogans on Thursday evening

People in the crowd shouted over McInnes during his appearance.

Vice President of Student Affairs Marc Wais attempted to gain control of the crowd yet wasn't able to do so, the Washington Square News reported.

McInnes was filmed telling Wais: 'You're ridiculous, sir. You're a dumb, liberal a******.'

McInnes said: 'You don't want to lose your job, so you say "Sit down, try to be civil." That's a myth. You know this whole thing's a f****** charade.'

McInnes left the Rosenthal Pavilion 20 minutes after taking the podium, Washington Square News reported. There were five arrests at the event, police told the website.

Gizmodo's Anna Merlan tweeted that police arrested a girl who 'was just standing on the sidewalk'.

She said in another tweet: 'Cops arresting a MAGA fan who just assaulted a reporter. NYPD didn't seem to see but the rest of us did.'

It wasn't clear from her tweet where that arrest took place.

McInnes tweeted the above message on Thursday

In a statement to the website, the College Republicans said: 'Our intention was not to advocate for McInnes's views, in fact many of us differ with him when it comes to certain ideas.

'The purpose of this event was to promote free speech and not to promote certain ideas.

The purpose of our club is to give students the opportunity to meet and listen to conservative speakers from all across the political spectrum, especially since we are the largest conservative organization on campus.'