Violence broke out at the University of Washington's Red Square on Saturday afternoon as counter-protesters clashed with members of "Freedom Rally" being held by the right-wing group Patriot Prayer.
UW College Republicans invited the group to speak on campus. Activists claim Patriot Prayer is associated with the alt-right, but they group insists it's opposed to racism and white nationalism.
"Patriot Prayer is teaming up with University of Washington Republicans to encourage conservatives to stand up for freedom in a far-left University," organizers wrote on Facebook.
Several fights broke out during the event.
Police close in on a skirmish in the center of Red Square; cuffing two people on the ground. One police officer tells his colleagues to activate their body cams. pic.twitter.com/dYTXmV8B3Q
— Dahlia Bazzaz (@dahliabazzaz) February 10, 2018
fights erupt at #uw during @JoeyRockstone appearance ... #Seattle pd deploy pepper spray pic.twitter.com/9Bz37FBMIh
— Toby Scott (@tobyscott206) February 10, 2018
NOW: Pepper spray deployed at UW protest. Fight breaks out inside Group protesting patriot prayer. pic.twitter.com/kdm76xtVmm
— Tim Pool (@Timcast) February 10, 2018
According to local media, police took multiple people into custody and tried to keep the opposing sides separated with bikes and other barriers.
Watch video, courtesy of KIRO 7 News, below:
