President Biden provided brief remarks on the protests over Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza that have wrecked US college campuses; he spoke from the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Thursday.
Biden stressed that there is a right to free speech — but also the rule of law.
“There is a right to protest,” Biden said, in his most extensive remarks since the campus protest movement began. “But there is not a right to cause chaos.”
“We’re a civil society and order must prevail,” Biden said.
“Destroying property is not a peaceful protest, it’s against the law,” Biden said. “Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduation, none of this is a peaceful protest.”
While walking out of the room, Biden was asked if there was a need for the National Guard to be called in.
“No,” Biden said.
Watch the clip below:
BREAKING: In first remarks over protests at US colleges, President Biden says he supports free speech and peaceful assembly but is against violence: "There's the right to protest, but not the right to chaos." WATCH pic.twitter.com/yg0ybOLKNu
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) May 2, 2024
