SandyMaloneBerkeley, CA – At least one person trashed a memorial left to honor Kate Steinle at the University of California – Berkeley on Thursday night where protesters had gathered to protest against the vigil.
Students gathered for a candlelight vigil in the wake of the “not guilty” verdict for Steinle’s killer, KNTV reported.
Steinle, 32, was fatally shot in July of 2015 as she walked down Pier 14 in San Francisco with her father.
Her killer was an illegal alien who had been deported five times prior to shooting Steinle.
A jury found Jose Ines Garcia Zarate guilty of one count of felony possession of a firearm, but acquitted him for the murder or involuntary manslaughter of Steinle, even though he admitted to firing the fatal shot.
The Berkeley College Republican Club organized a vigil in Steinle’s memory on the steps of the university’s Sproul Hall.
While a group of students held candles and reflected on Steinle’s life, another group gathered nearby to voice their dissent, with the goal of interrupting the memorial service, according to the Washington Examiner.
“They were shouting during my remarks, and throughout the vigil. Before, during and after,” Naweed Tahmas, vice president of the club, told the College Fix.
“I couldn’t make out everything they were shouting, but it’s usually: ‘In the name of humanity, we refuse to accept a fascist regime,’” Tahmas said.
When the event was over, they left a poster of Steinle on an easel, and candles that spelled out “Kate,” on the steps as a memorial.
Tahmas said they wanted other students to be able to see it, and pay their respects, in the morning.
But a few hours later, the poster of Steinle was gone.
It’s not uncommon for the club to have property destroyed on campus, but they were disappointed by the destruction of Steinle’s memorial.
Student Matt Ronnau told KNTV he felt the incident was “very disrespectful … to the memory of this woman. Regardless of what your political views are, I don’t think that’s appropriate.”