US President Joe Biden has called upon pro-Palestinian demonstrators at university campuses to respect the rule of law.
“We are a society governed by civility, and it’s imperative that order is maintained,” stated Mr. Biden from the White House, marking his initial direct commentary on the recent surge of student unrest.
Law enforcement has apprehended over 2,000 individuals across the nation in the past two weeks during college protests and encampments.
This includes 209 detentions early Thursday at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
At UCLA’s main campus, hundreds of officers in riot gear moved in before dawn, dispersing the pro-Palestinian camp.
Deploying flash bangs and flares, authorities loaded demonstrators onto police buses and dismantled the makeshift barriers and tents erected on campus a week prior. In response, UCLA labeled the encampment “both unlawful and a policy violation,” citing safety hazards and disruptions to campus operations.
“Demonstrators directly impeded education by obstructing students’ paths to classrooms,” the statement read, adding that clashes with pro-Israeli counter-demonstrators jeopardized student safety.
Addressing the nationwide protests later, President Biden emphasized, “We are not a nation of authoritarianism where dissent is silenced or quashed. Yet, we are also not a nation without laws.”
“While the right to protest is honored, causing chaos is not permissible. Everyone has the right to education, to obtain a degree, and to traverse campuses without fear of violence,” he asserted.
The Uncommitted National Movement, a coalition of Arab-American voters opposing Biden’s re-election, criticized him for “smearing” anti-war demonstrators.
“It’s evident Biden isn’t heeding the voices of young people nationwide or the over half a million uncommitted voters urging a change in direction. We hope he listens before it’s too late,” remarked leader Abbas Alawieh.
The campus demonstrations in solidarity with Gaza have proliferated to nearly 140 colleges across at least 45 states, according to a BBC tally, with at least six other countries joining in.
Advocates, calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, also demand academic institutions divest financially from Israel and affiliated companies profiting from the conflict.