US President Biden: 'We are not an authoritarian nation where we silence people or crush dissent'

US President Joe Biden made statements regarding the ongoing pro-Palestine protests at universities. Condemning the protests, Biden said, "There is a right to protest, but there is no right to cause chaos."

Stating that damaging property is not a peaceful protest, Biden used the words, "Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduations. None of this is a peaceful protest."

Expressing that threatening people, intimidating them, and instilling fear in people is not a peaceful protest and is against the law, Biden said, "There should be no place on any campus in the US for antisemitism or threats of violence against Jewish students."

''THIS DOES NOT MEAN ANYTHING GOES''

Stating that he understands people have strong feelings and deep convictions, Biden said, "In the US, we respect and protect the right to express those feelings, but this does not mean anything goes. It must be done without violence, without destruction, without hate, and within the framework of the law. Make no mistake, as President, I will always defend free speech, but I will be just as strong in defending the rule of law."

''WE ARE NOT AN AUTHORITARIAN NATION''

Emphasizing that both free speech and the rule of law must be upheld, Biden stated, "We are not an authoritarian nation where we silence people or crush dissent. The voice of the American people is heard. In fact, peaceful protests are the best tradition of how Americans respond to important issues. But we are not a lawless country either. We are a civil society and order must prevail."

''VIOLENT PROTESTS ARE NOT PROTECTED...''

Biden said, "Throughout our history, we have often faced such moments because we are a big, diverse, free-thinking, and freedom-loving nation. In such moments, there are always those who rush to score political points. But this is not the time for politics. Let me be clear, violent protests are not protected, peaceful protests are."

News Source: İHA