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Student triggered over sign asking whether there are two genders
A transgender-identifying student has been charged with misdemeanor assault and property damage after allegedly assaulting a member of the College Republicans at the University of Utah.
In a video posted to X by Utah College Republican President Rylie Barnes, Amber Grace was recorded threatening Republican students over a whiteboard poll outside the Marriott Library that asked if there are only two genders.
In the recording, the Republican asks, “Do you believe we should have the right to freedom of speech?” to the transgender student.
“No, I think Republicans should be shot in the streets, personally,” Amber Grace said.
The video then shows the transgender student tackle the Republican student as he yells for the aggressor to stop.
The College Republicans also posted a photo of the aftermath of the attack, showing the assaulted member with a ripped shirt.
University spokesperson Rebecca Walsh told The College Fix that the confrontation began after the transgender student “wiped off a whiteboard with their hand.”
“The visiting student then assaulted the tabling student, knocking them to the ground and tearing their shirt,” Walsh said.
She added that “Police have identified the individual involved and issued two Class B misdemeanor citations– for simple assault and property damage.”
A free speech group is also condemning the student’s actions.
FIRE attorney Robert Shibley told The College Fix, “Physically assaulting someone because you don’t like what they have to say is never acceptable, and it is not protected by the First Amendment.”
“College students can and should be expected to disagree peacefully, without resorting to violence or force,” Shibley said.
Asked if FIRE believes that the assault was a targeted attempt to suppress free speech, Shibley said, “It’s hard to know from the video whether the attacker intended to silence the student asking the question or was simply lashing out violently due to anger about the question.”
“The result is the same, though — if you attack someone because you don’t like their expression, you’re sending the message that it is physically unsafe to express some opinions on campus,” he said.
But not everyone believes the transgender student is in the wrong.
In response to the citations issued against Amber Grace, the Utah Anti-War Committee, a left wing activist organization, issued a joint statement with the Utah Valley University Community Defense Club and the University of Utah Queer Student Union, calling for Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill to drop all charges against the student.
“Even though the College Republicans began this harassment, Amber is now facing misdemeanor charges of assault and property damage for resisting transphobia. Amber is a dedicated member of the Salt Lake community as an anti-war activist, and she did nothing wrong by speaking against hateful Republican rhetoric,” the groups stated.
“The UAWC calls on Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill to refuse the charges on Amber Grace! Speaking out against transphobia is not a crime,” they stated.
They also called on university president Taylor Randall to “ban the College Republicans from harassing marginalized students on campus.”
The Utah Anti-War Committee also announced a rally on Nov. 4 in support of the transgender student at the President’s Circle in an Instagram post.
The College Fix also inquired about FIRE’s response to the Utah Anti-War Committee’s joint statement.
“Student groups are and must be free to make such statements. But generally, it’s a bad idea for colleges to give students who engage in violence over expression a pass,” Shibley said.
“Not only is it unfair to the victims of that physical violence, who did not deserve to be attacked, but it also means that those most willing to physically hurt others are the real boss when it comes to who may speak on campus,” he said.
