Attorney General Nick Brown has weighed in on the recent University of Washington protests, issuing a statement that condemns the damage and safety threats observed during the demonstrations. Regarding the line separating constitutionally protected protest from unlawful behavior, Brown affirmed, “It is clear that there was substantial damage to public property and threats to the overall safety of the university community.” The Office of the Attorney General, representing the University’s interests, has closely monitored the situation.
Practicing a balancing act, Brown expressed gratitude towards the swift action of law enforcement. Having arrested those believed to be responsible, he stated, “I am thankful that those responsible were arrested and, if found guilty, should be held accountable.” With students and faculty shaken, ensuring safety and order on campus seems to be Brown’s primary concern, thus supporting the enforcement of the law by UW. Acknowledging activism’s role in democracy, the Attorney General asserted, “I fully and always support people’s right to protest and to express their views.” In Brown’s view, the right to protest, as gleaned from the statement, according to the Office of the Attorney General…