Dem Party chair urges UW officials to not clear 'peaceful' Gaza protest on campus

The chair of the Washington State Democrats issued a statement calling the anti-Israel encampment at the University of Washington "peaceful" and opposed any actions that would violate activists "First Amendment rights."

This after Jewish students were harassed and blocked from walking on campus, Israeli flags were stolen and destroyed, antisemitic slurs were used against Jewish students, buildings were vandalized with antisemitic and anti-cop graffiti, and vigils and rallies were held for terrorists.

Shasti Conrad, chair of the Washington State Democratic Party said "regarding the peaceful student protests" at the University of Washington's Seattle campus, "as we continue to monitor the peaceful gathering of students at the University of Washington, the Washington State Democratic Party staunchly supports the legal rights of all members of the public to peaceful assembly."

She added, "Each of us has a constitutional right to protest in places that are open to the public including students. The Washington state Democratic Party preemptively opposes any actions taken by the University of Washington leadership and law enforcement that would violate students' First Amendment rights."

She then urged "everyone involved in the protest to maintain public safety as they peacefully exercise their fundamental civil rights."

Conrad was slammed in comments responding to the statement on social media with videos of Jewish students being blocked from traversing the campus and being harassed by the activists.

Journalist Jonathan Choe was assaulted by some of the campers on Wednesday evening.

On Monday, activists at the university set up the "Liberated Zone" on the Quad. The small Gaza camp was barely noticeable until Wednesday when over 150 activists, mostly outside agitators who are not students joined them on campus and grew the encampment exponentially.

Antifa members dressed in black bloc were also spotted on campus.

Though the school was warned over a week in advance of the activists' intentions, they took no action to stop the encampment from forming or from continuing to grow. Activists originally postponed the encampment due to a lack of "arab or Muslim leadership.”

A UW spokesman told The Ari hoffman Show on 570 KVI that they are continuing to "monitor the situation."

Activists have been hauling wooden pallets onto campus to build a wall to protect the encampment.

Organizers have demanded that campers "conceal your identity" and "not speak to any authorities, police officers, administrators, or press, without first consulting a designated liaison." They have also insisted that participants not take videos or pictures of activists "without their affirmative consent" and have blocked people trying to photograph and film the encampment.