Reports this month show that the investigation into former NCAA swimmer and women’s rights advocate Riley Gaines’ claims of being assaulted and held for ransom at San Francisco State University has been halted. The school’s University Police Department (UPD) has declared the allegations “unfounded,” leaving Gaines and her supporters in disbelief.
Gaines, a vocal advocate for women’s sports and conservative values, found herself in the midst of what she describes as “left-wing violence” following a speech hosted by Turning Point USA last April. Despite her assertions of being physically attacked and detained against her will by protesters, the UPD’s recent email communication has dismissed her claims, citing a lack of concrete evidence.
Remember when I was assaulted & held for ransom through the night by a mob of violent protesters at SFSU?
The police have finally informed me the case has been suspended as all charges are "alleged" & "unfounded"
I guess audio, video, & eyewitness evidence aren't admissible in… https://t.co/IdnCqeM8Y4
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) February 22, 2024
This decision has ignited a firestorm of controversy, particularly among conservative circles. Gaines expressed her frustration in a series of posts to X, formerly Twitter. She wrote that the suspension of the investigation as all charges are “alleged” & “unfounded” disregards the video and eyewitness evidence that stands unchallenged. In an appearance on “Fox & Friends,” she described the termination of the investigation as “abysmal” and an “abomination.” She further argued that the response to her ordeal would have been markedly different had the political roles been reversed.
Critics argue that the UPD’s handling of the case reflects a broader societal issue where incidents involving conservative individuals are not taken as seriously as those involving their liberal counterparts. Gaines’ experiences and the subsequent legal fallout have become a symbol of the obvious double standard.
In addition to the public outcry, the intricacies of the investigation raise questions about procedural fairness and the adequacy of campus security measures. Gaines recounted her ordeal, detailing how she was barricaded and assaulted while under police watch. Her frustration with the investigative process was compounded by claims that subsequent communications from the UPD went unanswered and promises of security footage were unfulfilled.
The implications of this case touch directly on the freedom of speech, the right to safe assembly, and the expectation of impartiality in law enforcement’s response to campus incidents. Gaines’ stance, amplified by her refusal to be silenced, challenges the status quo and calls for a reevaluation of campus safety, the treatment of conservative voices, and the mechanisms for addressing grievances and criminal allegations in academic environments.
