UW blames TPUSA chapter for ‘antagonizing’ protest after left-wing militants attack event, force cancellation

Victor Balta, spokesperson for UW, accused Krolczyk of being “excited” that the event was shut down by taking her words out of context. Balta wrote, “Informed discussion and debate are encouraged on our campus, however, it is clear that presenters and disruptors are, in some cases, seeking to antagonize one another in ways that provide dramatic content for their social media feeds. Tuesday’s scheduled speaker told the student newspaper that she was ‘excited’ the event was shut down.”

The former Al Jazeera planning editor omitted Krolczyk's entire comment in a video where she said, “I’m almost excited [about being shut down], I know that sounds weird, but I’m excited because that means we’re doing something right… We’re speaking the truth and they can’t handle it.”

Activists carrying trans flags and pro-LGBTQ signs disrupted the event by banging on doors, pulling fire alarms, blocking the entrances of Thompson Hall, and even broke a window to launch noisemakers into the room where the event was being held.

In a statement to the Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, Victor Balta, spokesperson for UW, claimed the TPUSA chapter “changed its plans during the course of the day,” and “did not follow through” on “requiring registration by attendees in advance of the event,” claims the chapter disputes.

According to the statement, “The University of Washington is committed to free exchange of ideas and the principles of academic freedom, in accordance with the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, including some whose views may be considered controversial.”

He added, “UW police leadership was in conversation with organizers of Tuesday night’s event several weeks ago to discuss plans to make it run as smoothly as possible and safely. The student group that invited the speaker, unfortunately, changed its plans during the course of the day. The group committed to requiring registration by attendees in advance of the event and did not follow through on that requirement.”

According to chapter members there was no “change of plan,” and they did have a pre-registration list. Some members also told Hoffman that they had tipped off the UW police to Antifa threats long before the event began.

After putting the blame on TPUSA, Balta continued, “The responsibility for interrupting last night’s event falls on those whose actions were disruptive and damaging, including breaking a window, graffiti in the building and wasting firefighters' time with a false fire alarm. Anyone who is identified to have been responsible for vandalism or property damage will be pursued through legal channels.”

Balta then blamed TPUSA again, writing “The event organizers made the decision to suspend the event. UWPD escorted event participants out of the building.”

Organizers canceled the event after UW police failed to stop activists from pulling fire alarms, launching noisemakers into the room where the speech was being held through windows they broke, and banging on doors, making any event impossible.

Balta then again claimed, about the activists, many of whom were wrapped in Palestinian keffiyehs and were recognized after they participated in pro-Palestinian events on campus including a Gaza camp, “Again, those seeking to disrupt and shut down speakers are ultimately responsible and will face legal and disciplinary action if they are identified.”

He concluded, “It is also important for organizers to follow advice provided by UWPD regarding security if the true intention is to hold an event without disruption. The costs to the University, the state and taxpayers to allow our campus to serve as the backdrop for these disruptions and exchanges is significant, and we will continue to do everything we can to enable student groups to host events without disruption.”

Charlie Kirk, the founder and CEO of TPUSA, posted on X following the incident, "The President of UW is potentially in serious trouble with the Dept. of Education Civil Rights Division. President Trump has said NO federal funding for schools that don't support free speech. Also a blatant violation of students’ freedom of expression.”

He also hinted at legal action against the University adding, “This crap stops now. Preserve your records, UW!"

In the waning hours of the Biden administration, UW and many other colleges that allowed rampant antisemitism last year, negotiated settlements with the Department of Education for pending civil rights cases. UW was ranked among the top-five most antisemitic colleges in the US.