Well, this is disturbing, if entirely on-brand for San Francisco State University.

Last week Riley Gaines of the Independent Women’s Forum spoke at a Turning Point USA event on the campus of San Francisco State University about the invasion of men into women’s sports.

Gaines, as you may recall, was forced to compete against Lia Thomas in swimming by the NCAA. Thomas is a male who identifies as a transgender “woman,” and he unsurprisingly blew away the competition. Gaines, who was a top college athlete, was humiliated by having to compete against Thomas.

The prisoners are running the asylum at SFSU…I was ambushed and physically hit twice by a man. This is proof that women need sex-protected spaces.

Still only further assures me I'm doing something right. When they want you silent, speak louder. 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/uJW3x9RERf

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) April 7, 2023

Now out of college, she is speaking out, and at San Francisco State she was physically attacked and held hostage for 3 hours by student protesters. Forced into a classroom and protected by campus police, she was ultimately escorted out by the city police under guard. Students outside even spoke of demanding money to let her go.

🚨@SFSU sent the following email about the the @Riley_Gaines_ @TPUSA event🚨

“Dear SF State community, 
 
Today, San Francisco State finds itself again at the center of a national discussion regarding freedom of speech and expression. Let me begin by saying clearly: the trans… pic.twitter.com/L6Q9OZkVvU

— David Llamas (@davidllamas_) April 8, 2023

After days of silence, the administration has finally spoken out, and the statement is horrific. It is a full-throated endorsement of the attacks on Gaines and even an offer of counseling for those who were traumatized by having Gaines exist in the same universe at them.

“Dear SF State community,

Today, San Francisco State finds itself again at the center of a national discussion regarding freedom of speech and expression. Let me begin by saying clearly: the trans community is welcome and belongs at San Francisco State University. Further, our community fiercely believes in unity, connection, care and compassion, and we value different ideas, even when they are not our own. SF State is regularly noted as one of the most diverse campuses in the United States—this is what makes us Gators, and this is what makes us great. Diversity promotes critical discussions, new understandings and enriches the academic experience. But we may also find ourselves exposed to divergent views and even views we find personally abhorrent. These encounters have sometimes led to discord, anger, confrontation and fear. We must meet this moment and unite with a shared value of learning.

Thank you to our students who participated peacefully in Thursday evening’s event. It took tremendous bravery to stand in a challenging space. I am proud of the moments where we listened and asked insightful questions. I am also proud of the moments when our students demonstrated the value of free speech and the right to protest peacefully. These issues do not go away, and these values are very much at our core.  

This feels difficult because it is difficult. As you reflect, process, and begin to heal, please remember that there are people, resources and services available and ready to receive our Gator community, including faculty, staff members, coaches and mentors who are here to support you.

Campus resources are also available:

• Equity and Community Inclusion
• Counseling and Psychological Services
• Dean of Students Office

The well-being of the SF State campus community remains our priority.

Sincerely,

Jamillah Moore, Ed.D.  Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management”

“I am also proud of the moments when our students demonstrated the value of free speech and the right to protest peacefully. These issues do not go away, and these values are very much at our core. ” 

We strongly condemn the violence perpetrated against @iwf spokeswoman @Riley_Gaines_ on @SFSU campus. Riley was violently accosted, ambushed, and physically assaulted during a speech on sex discrimination women face in their own single-sex sports category. pic.twitter.com/uhND8UY2jX

— Independent Women's Forum (@IWF) April 7, 2023

What does one say about such a statement? Is there anything so vile as an academic expressing pride in students who, literally, hit a woman multiple times and forced her to cower under police protection?

Protesters yell at SFPD as more policemen join the guards guarding the room where Riley Gaines has taken shelter at 8:47 p.m. pic.twitter.com/h8NvQwQmMq

— Golden Gate Xpress (@GGXnews) April 7, 2023

This is the behavior of which Jamillah Moore, Ed.D.  Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management is “proud.”

There isn’t even a pretense anymore about allowing others to speak, or of academic freedom. Instead, the actions of a violent mob are portrayed as free speech and peaceful protest.

SFSU needs to be sued, and if it were in a state that wasn’t dedicated to the fascist suppression of dissent it would be rightfully treated as Governor DeSantis is treating Florida’s New College.

It is telling that a college Vice President can view what happened as traumatic for the rioters, not the victim. It shows how inverted and evil the values to which she is committed are.

“They resort to locking me in a room and terrorizing me and my family and these officers for THREE HOURS.”

📺 @riley_gaines_ & her husband Louis Barker joined @RCamposDuffy to discuss the terrifying incident at @SFSU, where she was ambushed by a woke mob of trans activists. pic.twitter.com/l1RdntECfD

— Independent Women's Forum (@IWF) April 8, 2023