Ann Coulter cancels Berkeley speech over campus safety concerns

Conservative author and speaker Ann Coulter has canceled a fought-over appearance she was set to make Thursday at the University of California, Berkeley.

“There will be no speech,” she told The New York Times and Reuters on Wednesday.

She said the conservative groups sponsoring her remarks withdrew their support on Tuesday, citing security concerns. 

“I looked over my shoulder, and my allies had joined the other team,” she told Reuters. 

“It’s a sad day for free speech,” Coulter told the New York Times. “Everyone who should believe in free speech fought against it or ran away.” 

Young America’s Foundation, the group sponsoring her event, pulled out citing safety concerns. 

“Berkeley made it impossible to hold a lecture due to the lack of assurances for protections from foreseeable violence from unrestrained leftist agitators,” the group said in a statement, criticizing the university police’s “stand-down” policy and charging that “Berkeley should be ashamed for creating this hostile atmosphere.”

“Ms. Coulter may still choose to speak in some form on campus, but Young America’s Foundation will not jeopardize the safety of its staff or students,” the group added. 

The Berkeley College Republicans, another sponsor the visit, joined Young America’s Foundation in expressing concerns about the hostile atmosphere surrounding the event, the Times reported. 

The planned visit had sparked concerns about massive protests that could cause safety hazards on campus.

Coulter had earlier blasted the university for canceling her speech and offering her a new location and a date that would have occurred during a week when there would be no classes on campus.

The controversy comes just months after alt-right provocateur Milo Yiannopoulous was forced to cancel an event there following violent demonstrations.