RICHMOND, Va. (OSV News) — Two people were arrested March 29 after causing a disruption at a pro-life event on the Richmond campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, according to multiple local media reports.
The group Students for Life of America held an event in its “Lies Pro-Choicers Believe” Tour at VCU. The group said its event was shut down after its president, Kristan Hawkins, and student ambassador and Turning Point USA contributor, Isabel Brown, were shouted down by protesters, eventually leading to an altercation.
VCU Police told WRIC-TV that they arrested Natalie Hoskins III, 22, and Anthony Marvin, 30, at the Students for Life meeting after it was disrupted by “the unruly conduct of some attendees.” Hoskins was charged with simple assault and Marvin with disorderly conduct, the report said.
Neither Hoskins nor Marvin are affiliated with VCU, the university told the television station. The event was open to the public.
Hawkins said in a statement that her group “will be demanding that VCU invite me and Isabel back to hold an event that is safe for all to attend.”
“The free speech rights of pro-life Americans and especially pro-life students are at stake,” Hawkins said. “We can’t stop meeting for fear of opposition.”
Students for Life said Autumn Walser, president of Students for Life at VCU, “received an injury to her leg while a fellow student suffered cuts and scratches from aggressive protestors clawing at her.”
A spokesperson for the group said Walser is “pretty sore” from a “bone bruise” stemming from the incident, but is walking.
“And we are arranging security for her on campus for the near future to ensure she is safe,” the spokesperson said.
Michael Porter, a spokesman for VCU, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that the university was “disappointed” about what took place.
“VCU is committed to promoting a safe environment for our students, faculty, staff and visitors so that the right to gather and speak freely is protected,” Porter said. “We must extend dignity and respect to others, especially those with whom we disagree.”
The next event on the group’s tour is scheduled for April 18 at the University of New Hampshire, followed by an event scheduled for April 20 at Georgetown University in Washington, where a group of students supportive of legal abortion, H*yas for Choice, operates at the Jesuit university without formal approval.
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