US President Joe Biden made statements about the ongoing protests in support of Palestine at universities. Biden condemned the protests and said, “There is a right to protest, but there is no right to create chaos.”
“NONE OF THIS IS A PEACEFUL PROTEST”
Stating that damaging property is not a peaceful protest, Biden said, “Vandalism, unauthorized entry, breaking windows, closing campuses, forcing classes and graduations to be canceled. “None of this is a peaceful protest,” he said.
Stating that threatening, intimidating and frightening people is not a peaceful protest and is against the law, Biden said, “There should be no place for anti-Semitism or threats of violence against Jewish students on any campus in the USA.”
“THIS DOES NOT MEAN EVERYTHING IS FREE”
Stating that he understands that people have strong emotions and deep beliefs, Biden said, “In the USA, we respect their right to express these feelings and protect this right, but this does not mean that everything is free. This must be done without violence, without destruction, without hatred and within the framework of the law.” “Make no mistake, as President I will always defend freedom of expression, but I will be equally strong in defending the rule of law,” he said.
Emphasizing that both freedom of expression and the rule of law should be supported, Biden said, “We are not an authoritarian nation where we silence people or crush opposition. The voice of the American people is being heard. In fact, peaceful protests are the best tradition of how Americans respond to important issues. However, we are not a lawless country. “We are a civil society and order must prevail,” he said.
“LET ME SPEAK CLEAR…”
Biden said, “We have encountered moments like this often throughout our history because we are a great, diverse, free-thinking and freedom-loving nation. In moments like these, there are always those rushing to score political points. But this is not the time for politics. Let me be clear, violent protests are not supported.” “Peaceful protests are supported,” he said.
Source: UAV