VANCOUVER, WA – Clark College in Vancouver will close Monday in response to a planned campus demonstration by right-wing group Patriot Prayer.

President Bob Knight in a letter encouraged students, staff and faculty to avoid the campus for the day if possible. He cited past violence associated with the group and concerns from the school community.

The Clark College event is one of two Vancouver college campus demonstrations planned by Patriot Prayer next week in protest of Initiative 1639, a Washington state bill that would require more background checks for people buying semi-automatic rifles, and an increased age limit for those gun buyers to 21.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story)