'Fake news is propaganda.' Milo Yiannopoulos rips the media at Cal Poly forum
Final update: 9:30 p.m.
Yiannopoulos, Benjamin and Fletcher wrapped up their forum just after 9 p.m.
Yiannopoulos told those who share his worldview that they must go on the offensive and push for their beliefs.
"You have to fight — you have to be willing to lose something," he said. "A movement without grassroots, reflexive support isn't enough."
Yiannopoulos ended the discussion by presenting a giant check to Jewish audience members who joined him onstage.
During protests following racist fraternity behavior, students presented Cal Poly administrators with a list of demands, which included additional funds for cultural organizations, "with the exception of organizations that are aligned with Zionist ideology."
Earlier during the forum, Yiannopoulos expressed his desire to donate to groups excluded from the list, although he said none would accept the money.
Update: 9 p.m.
Yiannopoulos, Benjamin and Fletcher discussed the media and how people should treat the news they consume.
"What you think about the world should not come from media reporting, because it just isn't reliable enough," Yiannopoulos said.
Benjamin went on a rant about David Hogg, a survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 people in February.
Since the shooting, Hogg and his classmates have become known as passionate anti-gun activists. Hogg was also recently accepted to Cal Poly.
"I f***ing hate David Hogg, because he gets on TV and talks to people like they're the problem," Benjamin said to much applause. "F*** off, kid."
Update: 8:45 p.m.
Benjamin and Yiannopoulos talked about waging a "culture war" against liberals.
"You have to say, 'You cannot shame me,'" Benjamin said. "'I know what I stand for.'"
Update: 8:25 p.m.
Yiannopoulos, Fletcher and Benjamin discussed identity politics, which they claim fake news helps perpetuate. They also talked about rapper Kanye West, who's recently come under fire for supporting President Donald Trump.
"When someone is gay and Republican, or a woman and not a Democrat, 'Oh, they're self-loathing,'" Yiannopoulos said.
Update: 8 p.m.
Yiannopoulos, Fletcher, also known as "Fleccas," and Benjamin, aka "Sargon of Akkad, discussed the impact social media platforms have on "fake news."
"These are people creating products that have ... catastrophic effects on individuals and society," Yiannopoulos said.
Update: 7:30 p.m.
Yiannopoulos described fake news as "a form of political warfare," at a forum on the Cal Poly campus on Thursday.
"Fake news is propaganda, is ideological warfare ... dressed up as journalism," Yiannopoulos said.
Update: 7:15 p.m.
A handful protesters armed with signs saying "White Supremacy" and "Racism Brought to You By Cal Poly Republicans" arrived on campus in reaction to Milo Yiannopoulos's speaking on campus. The alt-right firebrand is speaking as part of a "fake news" forum. However, there are still far fewer protesters than when Yiannopoulos first came to Cal Poly in 2017.
»» For LIVE UPDATES from the OUTSIDE the "fake news" forum with Milo Yiannopoulos, follow reporter @AndrewSheeler on Twitter.
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»» For LIVE UPDATES from INSIDE the forum, follow reporter @KaytyLeslie on Twitter.
Original Story
Anticipating protests, Cal Poly erected fences and dispatched a large police presence on campus Thursday evening in response to a "fake news" forum headlined by alt-right provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos.
An hour before the highly anticipated event, however, few demonstrators had shown up.
Attendees to the event lined up to go through security for the 7 p.m. event at Mott Athletic Center in a surprisingly quiet scene that was a far cry from Yiannopoulos' visit to campus in January 2017.
The forum comes as waves of outrage have rocked the university following incidents of racist behavior by two fraternities and the posting of hateful fliers and graffiti in Cal Poly buildings.
The panel also features YouTube personalities Austen Fletcher, also known as "Fleccas," and Carl Benjamin, aka "Sargon of Akkad." It is hosted by the Cal Poly College Republican Club and Turning Point USA.
Cal Poly University Police Chief George Hughes previously said the police presence will be similar to that of Yiannopoulos' last visit in January 2017, when more than 100 police officers, including SWAT and riot police, were dispatched to maintain order.
A heavy police presence was visible on campus Thursday evening, complete with rooftop spotters and extensive security fences. Ticketholders entering Mott Athletic Center to attend the event were also searched with metal detectors.
This story will be updated live from the panel and protests.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story misspelled Carl Benjamin.
This story was originally published April 26, 2018 at 6:31 PM with the headline "'Fake news is propaganda.' Milo Yiannopoulos rips the media at Cal Poly forum."