President Biden stressed on Thursday that “order must prevail” on college campuses as some pro-Palestinian protests became violent, emphasizing that it is his obligation to preserve both the “rule of law” and free expression.
However, Mr. Biden told reporters on Thursday that, “no,” the National Guard should not interfere on college campuses. He also stated that the protests do not change his views or policies about the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
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The president’s brief words come as pro-Palestinian rallies have taken place on college campuses around the country, with police breaking up encampments and making arrests. The University of California, Los Angeles arrested over 100 people Wednesday night after hundreds of protestors refused to leave and counter-protesters attacked the campus tent encampment about 24 hours earlier. The wild night at UCLA was followed by arrests at Columbia University and City College in New York. Some institutions have canceled in-person commencement ceremonies in response to the protests.
“Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduations—none of this is a peaceful protest,” the president stated from the White House’s Roosevelt Room. “A peaceful protest is not one that threatens, intimidates, or instills fear in people. It is against the law. Dissent is critical to democracy, but it must never result in chaos or the denial of others’ rights for students to complete the semester and their college degree.
The president stated that “dissent is essential to democracy,” but that it should not result in anarchy and bloodshed.
People have the right to an education, a degree, and the freedom to move freely across campus without fear of harm. Let’s be clear: there should be no place on any college in America for antisemitism or threats of violence against Jewish students,” Mr. Biden stated.
The White House has claimed that any college violence is the result of a tiny but vocal minority of demonstrators.
