Americans have right to protest, not violence: Biden
US President Joe Biden has said that Americans have the right to protest, but not the right to spread violence.
The US president made this comment at a press conference at the White House on Thursday (May 02) amid growing political pressure on anti-Israel protests and clashes at universities in the United States over the Gaza issue.
Biden said that everyone has the right to protest, but no one has the right to cause chaos.
Recently, pro-Palestinians have been protesting in various universities in the United States. A few university protests were dispersed by the police. Hundreds of students have been arrested. Many are criticizing the initiative of the Biden administration to deal with the situation. He was available for comment through a spokesperson until Thursday.
Biden, who is hoping to be re-elected next November, made very cautious comments. While rejecting anti-Semitism in his comments, he supported the right of young people to protest. He has taken such a stand to avoid political damage in the long run.
Both sides have valid points, Biden said. Peaceful dissent is important in a democracy. But violence will not be tolerated.
Biden said that everyone has the right to protest, but no one has the right to cause chaos.
He said, destruction of property is not a peaceful protest. It is against the law. Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing class cancellations – none of these are peaceful protests.
The US president said the US is not an authoritarian state that will silence critics. But discipline must be maintained.
Anti-Israel protests began two weeks ago at Columbia University. Later it spread to other universities in America. At least 30 universities currently have anti-Israel protests.