OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, issued the following statement today in response to escalating violence and harassment during protests at the University of Washington:

“The events unfolding at the University of Washington have crossed every line of decency and legality. Last night, protesters threw human feces at attendees of a Turning Point USA event featuring athlete and women’s sports activist Riley Gaines. They followed an elderly woman using a cane to her car, called her terrible names, and told her to kill herself. This is not protest—it is targeted harassment and criminal behavior.

“In an extremely troubling development, a Democratic member of the House of Representatives has publicly expressed support for, and a willingness to help, those arrested during these violent protests. This sends a dangerous message that such behavior is acceptable if it aligns with certain political viewpoints.

“Our universities must be bastions of free speech and safety for all students, regardless of their beliefs. This includes members of the public and event organizers who assemble on the UW campus. We need Democrats to speak out against these tactics. I call on all leaders, regardless of party affiliation, to unequivocally denounce these actions and take immediate steps to restore order and protect the rights of every student on campus.”