Rep. Smith Condemns Vandalism Against UW President

WASHINGTON – Rep. Smith released a statement condemning the vandalism of the University of Washington’s President Ana Mari Cauce’s home and car.

"Yesterday, University of Washington President Cauce’s home and car were vandalized and damaged. Her car tires were slashed, paint was smeared across her car and home, and threatening messages were left by the perpetrators including: “the clock is ticking” and “you will not know peace until you meet the demands of our movement.”

"I unequivocally condemn this act of violence and intimidation.

"It is incredibly troubling to me that this is a repeated tactic of persuasion in our area. Last December, I had a similar act of vandalism at my personal residence. These are not isolated incidents; it appears to me that there is a pattern of behavior that is encouraged by the extreme fringes of this movement.

"The tactics of intimidation, vandalism, and destruction witnessed at the President’s home tonight are not moving the pro-Palestinian cause forward in the United States. It alienates potential allies and puts people into an immediate defensive posture. It coarsens our political dialogues and is a threat to a healthy, functional democracy.

"This destructive strategy has been condoned for too long. The perpetrators of these crimes are emboldened every time they commit these crimes and are not held accountable. Previous acts of vandalism and other actions that violated the stated rules at the University of Washington have not been punished. We need rules and laws, and it is just as important that we enforce them. It is past time for King County prosecutors to take swift action and prosecute these crimes. I also urge Seattle Police Department to take these incidents seriously as they are happening and respond swiftly.

"We must find better, more constructive ways to articulate our disagreements. The world is increasingly complicated and requires us to be capable of democratic dialogue even with those we passionately disagree with.

"I urge my fellow colleagues in public offices to also condemn this act of vandalism and to discourage the use of intimidation, vandalism, and destruction in our political dialogue."

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