Zachary Greenberg, 28, was caught on camera assaulting a conservative activist on the University of California, Berkeley campus on Feb. 19. Greenberg attacked the activist, Hayden Williams, while he was trying to recruit members to the group Turning Point USA. In the video, you can see Greenberg punching Williams in the face. He was charged on three felony counts of assault, battery with serious bodily injury, and criminal threats, and one misdemeanor count of vandalism.
The leadership at Berkeley condemned the "intolerable" attack but were pleased to see that criminal charges had been filed against the attacker.
“We are pleased that the good investigative work of our police department has led to the filing of these charges,” Dan Mogoluf, assistant vice chancellor at UC-Berkeley, told Fox News. “The university believes that those who violate the free-speech rights of others must be held accountable and face the appropriate consequences.”
Yet, at his arraignment hearing in Oakland, CA, on Wednesday, Greenberg pleaded not guilty.
28 year old Zachary Greenberg pleads not guilty to felony assault, battery & criminal threat charges for an attack caught on camera of a conservative activist on the UC Berkeley campus. pic.twitter.com/ynZGck0D90
— Jodi Hernandez (@JodiHernandezTV) March 6, 2019
Again, here's the footage.
LEFTIST VIOLENCE ON CAMPUS!
— Turning Point USA (@TPUSA) February 21, 2019
A Leftist Thug Violently Assaulted A Conservative Student That Was Recruiting For The @TPUSA Chapter At UC Berkeley!
This Is How Violent & Intolerant The Left Has Become On Campus! #TPUSA pic.twitter.com/H1Q89lXFR9
In light of the Berkeley attack, President Trump announced at CPAC on Saturday that he plans on signing an executive order to protect campus free speech.