University of Washington Republicans outnumbered by protesters at own rally [View all]
Angry chants, clouds of pepper spray and arrests unfolded at the University of Washington Saturday afternoon as the university’s College Republicans clashed with protesters.
Those attending the rally were outnumbered by protesters four to one. Both groups were separated by metal barriers and a line of Seattle police officers until the “Proud Boys” — a far-right men’s organization founded by Vice Media co-founder and former commentator Gavin McInnes — found their way into Red Square and confronted the protesters face to face. At one point, protesters threw glitter on the “Proud Boys,” punches were thrown and a few arrests were eventually made.
UW College Republicans hosted the rally despite the university demanding they pay an estimated $17,000 in security costs to safeguard against violence. College Republicans hosted Milo Yiannaopoulos, a right-wing figure and former Breitbart writer, in January 2017 after which violence broke out and one man was shot. (The shooter was a right winger)
The College Republicans filed a lawsuit last Tuesday on the grounds that the university was violating their constitutional right to free speech. On Friday, a federal judge granted the group a temporary restraining order, which allowed the club to move forward with the rally and temporarily prohibited the UW from imposing a fee.
On Saturday, the College Republicans invited Joey Gibson, an American conservative political activist and the founder of Patriot Prayer, a right-wing group based in Vancouver, Wash. The group is known for organizing pro-Trump rallies.
http://crosscut.com/2018/02/uw-republicans-freedom-rally-patriot-prayer-arrest-police-protest/
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