Washington, DC–President Biden today made his first open remarks on nationwide college campus protests, defending both the right to free speech and the rule of law.
“Violent protest is not protected; peaceful protest is. It’s against the law when violence occurs,” said Biden. “Destroying property is not a peaceful protest. It’s against the law. Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduations — none of this is a peaceful protest.”
“Threatening people, intimidating people, instilling fear in people is not peaceful protest. It’s against the law,” Biden continued. “Dissent is essential to democracy. But dissent must never lead to disorder or to denying the rights of others so students can finish the semester and their college education.”
“Look, it’s basically a matter of fairness. It’s a matter of what’s right. There’s the right to protest but not the right to cause chaos. People have the right to get an education, the right to get a degree, the right to walk across the campus safely without fear of being attacked.”
“I understand people have strong feelings and deep convictions. In America, we respect the right and protect the right for them to express that. But it doesn’t mean anything goes. It needs to be done without violence, without destruction, without hate, and within the law,” Biden said.
When asked whether the protests have forced him to reconsider any of the policies with regard to the region, Biden simply said “No”.
