Biden comments on pro-Palestine university protests across US

World

Published: 2024-05-02 18:45

Last Updated: 2024-05-17 12:30


US President Joe Biden
US President Joe Biden

US President Joe Biden commented on the university sit-ins protesting the aggression in Gaza, stating, “There should be no place on any campus, no place in America for anti-Semitism, or threats of violence against Jewish students.”

He added, "There is no place for hate speech or violence of any kind, whether it's anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, or discrimination against Arab Americans or Palestinian Americans. It's simply wrong. There's no place for racism in America."

He emphasized that such protests jeopardize freedom of expression and the rule of law, both of which must be upheld, stressing the importance of opposition in democracy, saying: "We've all seen the images, and they put to the test two fundamental American principles: The first is the right to free speech, and for people to peacefully assemble and make their voices heard. The second is the rule of law. Both must be upheld."

Biden clarified that the protests did not alter his policies in the region, asserting that opposition is crucial for democracy, and students should feel safe to learn and move around campus without fear of attack.

"Violent protest is not protected, peaceful protest is. It's against the law when violence occurs. Destroying property is not a peaceful protest. It's against the law. Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduations. None of this is a peaceful protest. Threatening people, intimidating people, instilling fear in people is not peaceful protest, it's against the law," Biden added.

In a related event, the New York Police Department dismantled tents set up by 300 people at Columbia University during a protest against the ongoing aggression in Gaza.

Student protests against the Gaza aggression and in support of Palestinians have been growing in major American universities for about two weeks, spanning from California to northeastern, central, and southern states like Texas and Arizona.