Several arrests follow skirmishes at UW Patriot Prayer rally

SEATTLE – Police took into custody several people at a student Republican event at the University of Washington on Saturday that drew counter-protesters.

The police presence appeared significant as the Seattle Police Department assigned extra officers to support university police for the event at the campus.

The previous day, a federal judge had blocked UW from billing the College Republicans a $17,000 security fee for the rally on grounds that it violates free speech rights.

College Republicans invited the Vancouver, Washington, based group Patriot Prayer to speak in Red Square.

University of Washington police didn’t immediately return a call from the Associated Press.