Biden says "order must prevail" on college campuses, but National Guard should not intervene in protests
Source: CBS News
Updated on: May 2, 2024 / 11:34 AM EDT
President Biden on Thursday said "order must prevail" on college campuses, as some of the pro-Palestinian protests have turned violent, insisting it's his responsibility to protect the "rule of law" as much as freedom of expression. But Mr. Biden told reporters Thursday that "no," the National Guard should not intervene on college campuses. He also said the protests do not change his position and policies toward the Hamas-Israel war.
The president's brief remarks come as pro-Palestinian protests have been held at college campuses nationwide, resulting in police breaking up encampments at some schools and arrests. Over 100 people were arrested on Wednesday night at the University of California, Los Angeles, after hundreds of protesters defied police orders to leave and about 24 hours after counter-protesters attacked the tent encampment on the campus. The chaotic night at UCLA came after arrests in New York City at Columbia University and City College. Some institutions have canceled in-person commencement ceremonies due to the protests.
"Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduations none of this is a peaceful protest," the president said from the White House's Roosevelt Room. "Threatening people, intimidating people, instilling fear in people is not a peaceful protest. It's against the law.
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." The president said "dissent is essential to democracy," but that dissent must not turn into chaos and violence.
Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-campus-protests-arrests-encampments-ucla-columbia-city-college/
jimfields33
(16,432 posts)JohnSJ
(92,646 posts)stopdiggin
(11,511 posts)Should be noted however that we DO have voices here on DU that promote 'more aggressive' tactics - as both productive, and necessary.
"Afflict the comfortable" (or in some cases just the poor shlub trying to get to work in the morning) - because, to quote, "It works!" "If you're fighting for change - it takes some sand in the gears."
BlueMTexpat
(15,385 posts)many of the same arguments used against civil rights and Vietnam War protestors back in the day.
The protesters were in the right then! We should not be so quick to condemn them now, IMO.
sarisataka
(19,194 posts)Magoo48
(4,752 posts)That said, a good, productive protest makes many uncomfortable and some will be inconvenienced. Assembling in some restricted area and singing campfire songs doesnt do shit.
cab67
(3,024 posts)Keeping someone from attending class isn't going to promote thoughtful discussion about foreign policy. It's going to promote anger against the protester. This is why protests that block roads or close buildings are foolish.
There are two huge differences between the civil rights protests of the 1960's and what's happening right now. First - many of the people leading the civil rights protests were themselves victims of the injustice they protested. Second - most civil rights protests avoided inconveniencing the people who were most capable of affecting the desired change.
BlueMTexpat
(15,385 posts)gives you that idea?
The protesters were in the right then! We should not be so quick to condemn them now, IMO.
obamanut2012
(26,283 posts)sarisataka
(19,194 posts)but it seems they were saying back in the 60s the protests should not use "aggressive tactics" but that the protesters were right, then and now...
Progressive dog
(6,941 posts)I read it as a defense of aggression in protests.
BlueMTexpat
(15,385 posts)are certainly interpreting my statements much differently than they were meant.
And since I probably won't change your mind and don't know you ,nor you me, such is life.
It is amazing to see the double standard among some here.
It's obvious due to WHAT is being protested.
SunSeeker
(52,022 posts)Last edited Thu May 2, 2024, 02:18 PM - Edit history (1)
What these anarchist idiots did was disgusting. Look at all the "River to the Sea" graffiti. That is anti-semitic hate speech. And it is midterms at UCLA right now. Powell Library, which would normally be packed with students studying right now, is trashed and not usuable.
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/ucla-campus-trashed-after-police-dismantle-encusable.
When has this sort of senseless distruction EVER been ok with us? What "double standard" are you talking about?
stopdiggin
(11,511 posts)which is what a hell of a lot of us have ourselves engaged in.
Other hand - I think there's a fairly large voice (including apparently Biden) that view the push beyond legal activities (to include deliberate damage, physical confrontation, trespass and occupation) - with real question as to whether it remains 'peaceful protest'. Quite certainly it remains illegal - and deserves sanction.
(which is something else that many seem to forget about in terms of Vietnam war, etc. - a whole lot of people did get arrested, and in many cases not exactly gently. in many ways we're doing a much better job today.)
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obamanut2012
(26,283 posts)Including mocking peaceful protestors roughed up by cops.
stopdiggin
(11,511 posts)I've seen very little of what I would call 'roughing up' of peaceful protesters in current actions. Now this could stem from basic disagreement over what constitutes 'peaceful protest' (as alluded to earlier)
But if you are 'surrendering to arrest' when the police arrive (at long last) - doesn't seem to be any problem. If, on the other hand, you are continuing to fight/struggle/resist - then perhaps you might end up on the ground while restraints are applied. If that is what constitutes 'roughing up' (to your mind) and in this day an age - then, yeah, there might be some instances of that happening. But like I said - 'peaceful protest'? - there might be some wide variety of opinion ...
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(108,932 posts)Thought his statement was quite reasoned.