College Republicans expected to sue University of Washington over security fee

College Republicans at the University of Washington are expected to file a lawsuit against the school on Tuesday citing free speech violations. They say the school is restricting speech by making the group pay for security during an appearance by Joey Gibson, founder of Patriot Prayer, at a rally.

Freedom X, a nonprofit law firm, says counter-protesters from the left-wing group Solidarity Against Hate may show up to disrupt the event, KIRO 7 reports.

In August, a Patriot Prayer Freedom Rally in downtown Seattle turned violent when counter-protesters from Solidarity Against Hate showed up. Police did not allow them to reach the rally in Westlake Park.

University of Washington Police Chief John Vinson issued a statement:

“The safety and security of our campus community is a primary concern for the University of Washington. UWPD determines the estimated costs for security at events hosted by all student groups and registered organizations on an individual basis. These estimates are solely based on objective criteria, including an analysis of violence and threats to public safety by the invited speaker, attendees at previous events or the sponsoring group – both in and out of the state of Washington – as well as the date, time and location of the proposed event. Security cost estimates are not based on a speaker or group’s ideology or political position.

“The final cost of security for this weekend’s proposed event on Red Square is likely to exceed the $17,000 estimate provided by UWPD. The UW has gone to great lengths to support this student group’s right to invite speakers, including an event in January 2017 where UWPD’s own security costs exceeded $20,000 and the student group paid less than half of that amount. UWPD is committed to providing a safe environment that allows speakers, their hosts and others to be heard, but the university cannot continue to bear the significant costs associated with such events.”

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