MYNORTHWEST POLITICS

Riley Gaines UW speech against trans athletes met with protestors, harassment

May 7, 2025, 7:00 AM | Updated: 8:34 am

protestors riley gaines rally...

Protestors and activists protesting against Riley Gaines' speech at UW. (Photo courtesy of The Jason Rantz Show)

(Photo courtesy of The Jason Rantz Show)

Protestors flooded the University of Washington (UW) once more, denouncing Riley Gaines and her speech, dubbed “The Fight is Far From Over.”

Gaines frequents college campuses around the country to share her story as a college athlete who had to “unfairly” swim against a transgender student-athlete while she was attending the University of Kentucky. Gaines believes it’s unfair to allow trans athletes to compete in college women’s sports competitions.

A heavy police presence was required for multiple reasons. UW had to deal with an incident Monday where masked activists took over a recently constructed building on campus, causing approximately $1 million in damage. Thirty-one people were arrested for their involvement in the takeover.

That same day, Gaines spoke at Portland State University. With her appearance, several dozen protestors in support of transgender rights and their ability to compete in college sports rallied with signs. Five people, including one student, who spoke out against Gaines and her messaging were arrested for damaging property.

Gaines’ speech at UW still far from peaceful

While violence was avoided Tuesday during Gaines’ speech at UW, tensions boiled over. According to Jason Rantz, host of “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH, and Cam Higby, an independent political commentator and opinionist, elderly people who attended Gaines’ speech were harassed by protestors against Gaines. One elderly couple required a police escort as protestors allegedly exclaimed that they should “kill themselves” while also loudly shouting the couple’s license plate, saying they hoped they would get into an accident.

MyNorthwest Politics

king county council girmay zahilay...

Luke Duecy

King County Council unanimously passes ethics reform after $813,000 grant conflict-of-interest scandal

The King County Council unanimously approved sweeping ethics reforms Tuesday designed to prevent county employees from using their positions to benefit relatives or others with whom they have close personal relationships.

47 minutes ago

sales tax taxes seattle...

Charlie Harger

Harger: Seattle took in 40% more in taxes, spent all of it, and now wants the highest sales tax of any major city in America

This fall, Seattle voters, who are generally open to raising taxes on themselves, will decide whether to raise the sales tax to expand bus service, and whether to boost the library levy.

3 hours ago

Bite of Seattle shooting gang katie wilson...

Luke Duecy

Seattle police say Bite of Seattle mass shooting was a gang gunfight as questions mount over Mayor Katie Wilson’s response

SPD now stated the deadly mass shooting at Seattle Center during the Bite of Seattle was a gunfight between rival gangs.

22 hours ago

mayor wilson bite of seattle shooting...

John Curley Show

Curley defends Mayor Wilson’s response to fatal Bite of Seattle shooting: ‘A’ for a ‘novice,’ ‘C-‘ for a ‘major city’ leader

Curley then provided a couple of letter grades for Wilson's response and handling of the situation. "For a novice, I give her an A. For a leader of a major city, C-," Curley said.

1 day ago

Pierce Transit...

Paola Tristan Arruda, KIRO 7 News

Measure to expand Pierce Transit service on Nov. 3 Ballot

Pierce County voters will decide in November whether to approve a sales tax increase to expand bus and transit services.

2 days ago

mayor wilson school lunch...

John Curley Show

‘This doesn’t help council relations’: Bob Kettle fires back after Mayor Wilson says council ‘walked away’ from free school meals

Seattle City Councilmember Bob Kettle fired back at Mayor Wilson after she accused the council of voting to "walk away" from free school meals.

5 days ago

Riley Gaines UW speech against trans athletes met with protestors, harassment