Coverage by Cameron Kast and Bailley Simms.
Patriot Prayer, a group that self describes as “fighting corruption and big government with the strength and power of love” on their Facebook page, plans to come to the WSU Vancouver campus from 12 – 2 p.m. on Oct. 23 in protest of Washington State Initiative 1639. This initiative, which is on ballots in the upcoming election, regards stricter gun laws in Washington state. The group also plans to gather at Clark College on Monday, Oct. 22.
Earlier in the week, various forms of communication from students and the WSU Vancouver chancellor, Mel Netzhammer, informed the campus of the upcoming event. This information has left students, faculty and staff in conversation of what to expect during the protests. You can view the chancellor’s initial campus-wide letter here.
On Thursday evening, Clark College President Robert Knight, sent out a letter stating: “In consultation with Executive Cabinet, the Board of Trustees, and legal counsel, I have made the decision to suspend College operations all day on Monday, October 22.”
In response, Chancellor Netzhammer sent a second letter to WSU Vancouver students and staff acknowledging the closure of Clark College and stating that “WSU Vancouver will remain open Tuesday [Oct. 23], however, we are doing our best to ensure students, faculty and staff have options if they choose not to come to campus.”
In his letter, Chancellor Netzhammer also addressed the questions regarding bringing weapons on campus stating, “The answer is no. Washington Administrative Code 504-31-020 prohibits possession or use of firearms, explosives, dangerous chemicals or other dangerous weapons or instrumentalities on the university campus.”
In an interview on Thursday, WSU Vancouver Police Lieutenant and Director of Public Safety Dave Stephenson said “This is the largest non-campus related demonstration in my time here.” He added, “We’re hoping they come, have their say, distribute their literatures and go away.”
Also on Thursday, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office was on the WSU Vancouver Campus discussing their plans for Tuesday [Oct. 23]. “You’re [WSU Vancouver] going to have local law enforcement assisting you’re [WSU Vancouver] campus patrol and police,” Commander Michael McCabe said. “You’ll [WSU Vancouver] have members of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol.”
The VanCougar’s continued coverage on this developing story can be found here.