Well, there were 2 things that happened at Berkeley. One was a huge, peaceful counter-demonstration (free speech), another was a small number of violent people. I find it hard to believe that closeparen intended to only label the second group "leftist". But I could be wrong about that.

Fortunately, Ann Coulter or someone has plenty of outlets for her speech. And we've come a long way from Governor Ronald Reagan ordering UC Berkeley to cancel speakers because he didn't like what they had to say.

It’s not even remotely a departure from liberal values to protest outside. It is to work towards disrupting/overpowering the event so that it can’t continue, or to be totally unconcerned that others are doing so because “it’s a small group” or “they have plenty of other outlets” as long as the speaker is from the wrong side.

How have we “come a long way” from Reagan doing it? No-platforming actions don’t require the backing of a democratic majority. A few self-righteous people get going and no one wants to burn political capital objecting. Making the disinvitation button available to a wider population isn’t progress.