FNN 4/27 LIVESTREAM: Breaking News; President Trump Updates; Politics

Brought to you by Desert Diamond:
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on Ann Coulter’s canceled appearance at UC Berkeley (all times local):

12:20 p.m.

Dozens of demonstrators gathered near the University of California, Berkeley campus amid a strong police presence and rallied to show support for free speech and condemn the views of Ann Coulter and her supporters.

The rally Thursday ended peacefully and another was set later in the day.

Several dozen police officers surrounded Sproul Plaza on the campus and refused to let protesters enter.

The officers were clad in riot gear and carrying 40 mm launchers that shoot “foam batons” in case of violence.

Earlier, police mobilized on motorbikes, in armored trucks and on foot for possible violence at the rallies over Coulter’s canceled appearance at the university.

Coulter says she might still show up to say hello to supporters.

Police and university officials have said they were bracing for trouble whether or not she decides to show.

——

11:55 a.m.

A few dozen supporters of President Donald Trump and conservative commentator Ann Coulter converged on a park in downtown Berkeley for a peaceful gathering as two dozen police officers looked on.

Holding American flags and wearing “Make America Great Again” hats, the participants talked with each other and reporters on Thursday.

There were no speeches or demonstrations at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park during the first of several events and rallies planned throughout the day.

Earlier, police mobilized on motorbikes, in armored trucks and on foot for possible violence at the rallies over Coulter’s canceled appearance at the University of California campus in the city.

Coulter says she might still show up to say hello to supporters.

Police and university officials have said they were bracing for trouble whether or not she decides to show.

——

11 a.m.

Police in Berkeley are mobilizing on motorbikes, in armored trucks and on foot for possible violence at rallies and protests over Ann Coulter’s canceled appearance at the California city’s university.

Far-right supporters are planning rallies Thursday to denounce what they claim is an attempt to silence their conservative views. A counterprotest by a socialist group also is planned.

Past rallies by the two sides have descended into bloodshed.

City police are preparing at Civic Center Park near campus. San Francisco Bay Area station KTVU reports ( ) that they have removed signs throughout the park with graphic images in support of Milo Yiannopoulos, another conservative commentator whose speech at UC Berkeley was canceled earlier this year.

The university’s officers also are out in force, setting up barricades to the school’s main plaza and posting signs warning that weapons are prohibited on campus.