EVERETT — U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen canceled his Snohomish County campaign launch Monday, due to the possibility of pro-Palestine demonstrators attending.

The event had been scheduled to take place at the Scuttlebutt Brewing Taproom. Larsen said pro-Palestine demonstrators had disrupted community events previously held in the district.

He was expecting the same demonstrators to attend Monday.

“My campaign staff is capable and dedicated to the values we all share, however, they are not trained or equipped to conduct security at these events,” Larsen said in an emailed statement. “The demonstrators have unfairly targeted my staff on social media and in person at these events with verbal abuse that makes them feel threatened.”

While Larsen claims the kickoff to his campaign has raised $24,500 and he has met with more than 90 voters in the region, he stated he has not changed his position on the attack on Israeli civilians by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.

“I support President Biden’s calls for a ceasefire and his ceasefire plan, which is supported by a unanimous vote of the UN Security Council,” Larsen said.

“I continue to call for Hamas to release all the remaining hostages,” the Everett congressman added. “I continue to deplore the deaths of innocent Palestinians. And, I continue to support Israel’s right to exist and be secure in the region.”

He went on to state that he would continue door-knocking, earning endorsements and raising the money necessary to communicate with the voters in the 2nd District.