Under growing political pressure, the President of the United States, Joe Biden, broke his silence this Thursday (02) on protests at universities due to the war in Gaza, saying that Americans have the right to demonstrate, but not to promote the violence.
“There is a right to protest, but not a right to cause chaos,” Biden said in a White House statement.
As television images of violence at universities have gripped the country in recent days, Biden has faced criticism over his handling of the situation. He was essentially leaving the comments to his spokesmen.
The Democratic president, who is seeking re-election in November, has walked a careful line in denouncing anti-Semitism, supporting the right of young Americans to protest and trying to limit the long-term political damage.
Biden said both sides were right, that peaceful dissent was fundamental to a democracy, but that violence would not be tolerated.
“Destroying property is not a peaceful protest. It's against the law. Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, closing campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduations — none of this is peaceful protest,” he said.
Biden said the United States is not an authoritarian nation that silences critics, but that “order must prevail.”
“Dissent is essential to democracy, but it should never lead to disorder or the denial of the rights of others so that students cannot complete their semester and college education,” he said.
Asked whether state governors should call in National Guard troops to restore order if necessary, Biden responded “no.”
In response to a reporter's question, Biden said the university protests had not forced him to reconsider his policies in the Middle East.
Student protesters are calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and demanding that schools divest from businesses that support the Israeli government.
Protests at universities
More than 2,000 people have been arrested in protests at universities across the US since April 18.
At the prestigious Columbia University in New York, students camped and then stormed Hamilton Hall. They barricaded and locked the doors at the entrance. The students only left after police action, who arrested dozens of people.
The action came after the New York Police Department received a letter from Columbia University authorizing them to enter the campus, he told CNN a police source familiar with the situation.
In general, students are asking universities to cut ties with companies linked to Israel. The specifics of student protesters' divestment demands vary from school to school.
The coalition at Columbia wants the university to withdraw $13.6 billion in investment from any company linked to Israel or companies that are profiting from the Israel-Hamas war. Protest leaders mentioned the sale of shares in large companies in speeches.
With the intensification of violence and also the risk of expulsion, some students are also asking for assistance after the protests end.
Source: CNN Brasil
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