Representative Seth Moulton, D-Massachusetts, called on university leaders to end anti-Israel protests on campus, saying they were overreaching and jeopardized the safety of Jewish students.
the democrat said NBC10 Boston He said school leaders had a “responsibility” to call off the protest, saying it disrupted classes and made many Jewish students feel unsafe on campus.
“We live in a country that values freedom of speech,” Moulton told local media. “But these protests often threaten the safety of Jewish students. They completely disrupt university operations and prevent all other children from attending school. , the university has the right, and I would argue, even the responsibility to shut them down in this case.. ”
“I was so happy to see Harvard turn on their sprinklers the other day,” he said of his alma mater.
House Democrats tell Columbia University administrators ‘time for negotiations is over’
In an interview, Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Massachusetts, called on universities to halt anti-Israel protests on their campuses. (GREG NASH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Moulton argued that a balance needs to be struck between protecting the First Amendment rights of protesters and protecting the safety of Jewish students.
He said it was a problem that protesters were “threatening other students,” but added that the university “has the right to take action.”
Moulton joins other Democrats who have begun pressuring universities to quell destructive protests.
On Monday, nearly 20 House Democrats wrote a letter urging Columbia University leadership to disband “the unauthorized and impermissible encampment of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic activists on campus.”
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On April 24, 2024, students are shown setting up what is known as the Gaza Solidarity Encampment at Columbia University in New York. (Getty Images)
Later that morning, Columbia University threatened students with suspension or other disciplinary action if they did not remove their belongings from the encampment by the afternoon.
“If you do not identify yourself when you leave and do not sign the form now, you will not be eligible to sign and complete the semester in good standing. If you do not leave by 2:00 p.m., you will be suspended pending further investigation.” ”, he warned. .
But some progressive lawmakers traveled to Colombia on Friday to support anti-Israel demonstrators.
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