At Least 1 Arrested as Free Speech Rally at Evergreen College Sees Counter-Protests

Police arrested at least one person at a free speech rally organized to oppose political correctness at Evergreen College in Olympia, Washington. Clashes marked the gathering, as black-clad counter-protesters arrived with silly string and pepper spray.

Riot police flanked protesters from both sides of the political spectrum gathered at The Evergreen State College, as the liberal arts institution was otherwise closed and all campus activities were suspended Thursday.

On one side, the “Patriot Prayer” conservative group gathered to protest the college’s “Day of Absence,” a long-time annual event that came with a twist this year. Instead of a voluntary boycott by a particular minority – such as women or immigrants – this time students demanded a day without white people be enforced. In May, protests erupted after a white professor at the college refused to participate. Dozens of students later demanded the professor’s resignation after he wrote an email about the incident, which they deemed to be racist.

The Patriot Prayer group is calling for the college’s funding to be cut since they say it has been taken over by political correctness and hatred.

“You cannot ask students and professors to leave campus because of the color of their skin,” the group’s Facebook page said.

On the other side, counter-protesters often referred to as anti-fascists, were dressed all in black, with black masks and black hats.

The Puget Sound Anarchists’ website called for people to come protest the Patriot Prayer rally, saying the group “works closely with explicit fascists, and white supremacists.”

Both groups were met by around 65 Washington State troopers armed with rifles and dressed in riot gear, according to the Olympian.

Big WSP presence on @EvergreenStCol campus for protests. Pro-Trump folks upset about recent activism on campus. Counter-activists here too pic.twitter.com/RIzFce395w

— Drew Mikkelsen (@drewmikkelsenk5) June 16, 2017

At one point, the counter-protesters began spraying the free speech protesters with silly string.

#Antifa begins spraying free speech group in faces when they meet; police moves in to separate the two groups. #olympia #Evergreen pic.twitter.com/HGMAnI18t6

— Andy C. Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 16, 2017

More silly string used by the black-clad group of protesters at #Olympia‘s Evergreen State College. pic.twitter.com/ICLSG5uT0J

— Mike Bivins (@itsmikebivins) June 16, 2017

Joey Gibson, the leader of the Patriot Prayer group, was seen being escorted away from the event after he claimed he approached the counter-protesters and tried to shake hands with them. Gibson said he was called a “racist” and a “fascist” and someone dressed in black hit him in the face with a can and pepper-sprayed him.

“Not one person shook my hand, not one. I just wanted to have a conversation,” Gibson said. “They act like they’re against hate, there’s no way. If they’re against hate then they would have taken my hand and shaken it like a man. That’s all I’m asking for.”

Joey Gibson, Patriot Prayer leader pepper sprayed by ‘anti-fascists’ @ Evergreen State pic.twitter.com/OjszVAQKTA

— Anemona Hartocollis (@anemonanyc) June 16, 2017

The main organizer of this event explains the cut on his face that resulted from an earlier confrontation. #Olympia https://t.co/apaUAHK0Os

— Mike Bivins (@itsmikebivins) June 16, 2017

Upon leaving the protest, Gibson also allegedly had his tires slashed, along with several other protesters.

In the parking lot at Evergreen State College, protest organizer Joey Gibson got his tires slashed. #Olympia #EvergreenState pic.twitter.com/Yroc6NRqJd

— Mike Bivins (@itsmikebivins) June 16, 2017

Washington State Patrol confirmed that a 25-year-old man was arrested for disorderly conduct during the event. No other arrests were made.

Male arrested @EvergreenStCol for disorderly conduct was 25yo. No other arrests at this time.

— WA State Patrol (@wastatepatrol) June 16, 2017

No other details were provided about the individual who was arrested, however, one user posted an image on Twitter, showing two men fighting on the ground, along with a caption that said, “Patriot Prayer supporter wrestles man with a knife at Evergreen State College. They handed him over to state troopers.”

Patriot Prayer supporter wrestles man with a knife at Evergreen State College. They handed him over to state troopers pic.twitter.com/Pm8cMuIICP

— Kevin McCarty (@KevinKIRO7) June 16, 2017

Other users also confirmed that someone at the event had a knife and was tackled.

At the end of the day, the protesters left without any major incidents or injuries reported. As one Twitter user said, “This is an actual conversation happening between 2 sides that hasn’t gotten ugly.”

This is an actual conversation happening between 2 sides that hasn’t gotten ugly. #debate #Evergreen pic.twitter.com/1MYykx7gdr

— Natasha Chen (@NatashaKIRO7) June 16, 2017

Delivered by The Daily Sheeple

We encourage you to share and republish our reports, analyses, breaking news and videos (Click for details).

Contributed by RT.com of RT.com.