President Biden broke his silence Thursday on anti-Israel demonstrations that have disrupted universities across the country, condemning the violence that has erupted and saying, “You have the right to protest, but you don’t have the right to cause chaos.”
“Violent protests are not protected. Peaceful protests are protected,” he said. “When violence occurs, it is against the law. Destruction of property is not peaceful protest.”
Biden, who is facing mounting media and political pressure to speak out, made the comments as he departed the White House Thursday morning.
On his way home, he said he had no intention of mobilizing the National Guard to quell the protests.
Live updates: UCLA police clear anti-Israel camp, detain protesters
On Thursday, May 2, police detained protesters inside a pro-Palestinian encampment on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles. (AP/Ethan Swope)
On the other side of the country, dramatic scenes are unfolding on the UCLA campus, where police are clearing barricades around pro-Palestinian camps and detaining protesters.
Yesterday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters, “The president is being regularly updated on what’s going on,” when asked why he hasn’t spoken out recently about the protests. .
Resurfaced post comes back to haunt Biden after anti-Israel protests sweep across US
Police arrive at the UCLA campus rocked by anti-Israel protests. (AP/Ethan Swope)
“He is monitoring the situation closely and so is his team,” she added. “And I would add that no president has spoken more forcefully about combating anti-Semitism than this president.”
Protesters supporting Palestinians in the Gaza Strip barricaded themselves inside Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall on Tuesday. (Alex Kent/Getty Images)
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Jean-Pierre also insisted that Biden is “not playing a both-side scenario here” while addressing Israeli and Palestinian supporters.
