## Republican Party congresswoman Javiera Rodríguez was the target of a violent protest this Friday inside the University of Chile's Law School. The legislator was participating in a talk titled "University Experiences: A Look at Right-Wing Leadership," scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., when a group of attendees—mostly students—began a series of protests that escalated into physical assault.
According to reports from BioBioChile, the congresswoman was heckled and had water thrown at her during the event. As she attempted to leave, her team reported that protesters spat on her, forcing a rapid evacuation to a security vehicle. La Tercera added that, in addition to the shoving and water, physical blows were landed during the tense episode, which was captured by press crews and circulated on social media.
The incident at the university campus, located near Plaza Baquedano, occurred just hours after Rodríguez filed a formal complaint with the Investigative Police (PDI) Cybercrime Brigade regarding death threats she had received online. According to the congresswoman, the intimidating messages referenced American activist Charlie Kirk and were intended to discourage her from participating in the forum.
"Among all the comments, I received a death threat alluding to Charlie Kirk, an American activist who died in broad daylight for giving a lecture defending the ideas of liberty," Rodríguez stated in comments reported by La Tercera. Despite the risk, the congresswoman decided to attend the academic event, where protesters had plastered posters on the building's exterior walls and waited to confront her.
Following the event, Rodríguez described the incident as a "tradition" at the university. "Anyone who steps foot in that university holding a view different from this extremist group is branded a fascist, a denialist, anti-human rights, and many other labels that have nothing to do with reality," the congresswoman maintained.
Party leader José Antonio Kast condemned the episode via his X account, questioning the level of tolerance in academic spaces. "Violence cannot be a method of political action, nor can universities be a bastion of hatred and intolerance. My full support goes to Congresswoman Javiera Rodríguez following this condemnable act," he wrote.
The Republican legislator, who confirmed she is doing well following the incident, reaffirmed her stance against the aggression. "I am not afraid of them. I will go to every corner to defend liberty," she declared in an Instagram post, where she shared a video of the protest against her. The PDI is currently conducting an active investigation to identify those responsible for the threats made prior to the talk.
