Watch CBS News

UC Berkeley Spent $4 Million For Free Speech Event Security Last Year

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The University of California in Berkeley spent almost $4 million on security for a month of free speech events last year when the famously liberal campus became a flashpoint for the country's political divisions.

ALSO READ:

The university revealed in documents that it spent $3.9 million to bring in outside police forces, rent equipment and pay other security costs for three events scheduled from Aug. 27 to Sept. 27.

The figure was first reported Sunday by The Daily Californian after Chancellor Carol Christ referenced the cost in a speech.

UC Berkeley says the costs were split with the UC president's office.

The priciest event was a Sept. 24-27 event called "Free Speech Week," organized by right-wing firebrand Milo Yiannopolous. The event was ultimately canceled but the university spent nearly $2.9 million on security.

© Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.