[Conor Ryan]

Why can't districts/regionals/events take these types of things into their own hands? HQ clearly has not addressed this reoccurring issue. There is enough email traffic from these people already, why can't we ask them to address their teams prior to competition. Why can't this be addressed with the whole consent and release form process? Not all events have security, and although there is an established protocol in the manual but clearly not everyone reads the manual.

Arguing with another person over the rights to sit in an unclaimed seat is verbal abuse if it goes beyond a "hey, I was sitting there and I went to the bathroom type statement"

Clothespin Game is harassment. It can also turn into sexual harassment. It can turn into sexual assault in the wrong circumstances. In the popular case of targeting a law enforcement officer, its ASSAULTING A POLICE OFFICER.

Solicitation of Free Hugs is harassment. It can also turn into sexual harassment. It can turn into sexual assault in the wrong circumstances.

Specifically in both of these cases targeting an individual without consent is harassment. Unless you have written consent you are going to have a very difficult time winning a he-said she-said argument in court.

End the practice now, before someone ruins events for all of us. You can't treat these events as a free for all. We might have teenagers at these events but in the court system they can, and will be treated like adults.

I hope HQ finds an appropriate response to indemnify themselves from future risk.