NEW YORK - Nearly a dozen people were arrested Thursday night during a protest at NYU over a scheduled appearance of conservative actor and media entrepreneur Gavin McInnes.

The Vice Media co-founder was invited to speak to NYU's College Republicans at the school's Kimmel Center on Washington Square South near Thompson street.

The protest was organized by a group called NYU Anti-Fascists, who say McInnes is known for using "incendiary language."

A spokesman for NYU says fights broke out at the protests and that McInnes was hit with pepper spray at one point.

McInnes' speech was stopped when protesters rushed the room.

There was some minor damage to the nearby NYU Catholic Center.

Eleven people were arrested, and at least two were charged with criminal mischief.

McInnes later tweeted: "Thanks for asking if I'm OK guys. I was sprayed with pepper spray but being called a Nazi burned way more."