One person was arrested Thursday night after protesters interrupted an event featuring conservative political commentator Michael Knowles at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, KSHB reported.
“The protest turned disruptive and after several warnings, the disruption persisted, and one protester was arrested,” UMKC officials said in an emailed statement.
Knowles is a Fox News contributor and host of "The Michael Knowles Show" on the Daily Wire. Knowles tweeted that a protester tried to squirt bleach on him. "Lucky for me we(sic) was a left-winger and couldn't even shoot a squirt gun!" Knowles tweeted.
A student tried to squirt bleach on me during my speech tonight. Lucky for me we was a left-winger and couldn’t even shoot a squirt gun! pic.twitter.com/VHKS4hD4vW
— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) April 12, 2019
According to the university's website, the event was called "A Night With Michael Knowles," and the topic of his lecture was "Men are not women," KCTV reported.
The incident occurred 15 minutes into the program. Knowles was invited to the university by Young Americans for Freedom, the television station reported.
Protesters outside the lecture venue held signs that read, "Trans rights are human rights," "Respect my existence," and "Trans men are men," KCTV reported.
In a tweet, UMKC said, "We have a responsibility to allow free speech, but we cannot condone physical disruptions of peaceful activities."
We have a responsibility to allow free speech, but we cannot condone physical disruptions of peaceful activities. We believe free speech can be exercised constructively in a way that doesn’t put people at risk. We are gathering facts and will review campus policies & procedures.
— UMKC (@UMKansasCity) April 12, 2019
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