President Biden broke his silence on Thursday regarding the anti-Israel demonstrations that are roiling colleges and universities around the nation, condemning the violence that has broken out and saying that “there’s the right to protest, but not the right to cause chaos.”
“Violent protest is not protected. Peaceful protest is,” he said. “It’s against the law when violence occurs. Destroying property is not a peaceful protest. “
Biden, who has been facing mounting media and political pressure to speak out, made the comments Thursday morning as he departed the White House.
On his way out, he noted that he would not be calling in the National Guard to quell the protests.
LIVE UPDATES: POLICE AT UCLA CLEAR ANTI-ISRAEL ENCAMPMENT, DETAIN PROTESTERS
Police detain a demonstrator inside a pro-Palestinian encampment on the UCLA campus on Thursday, May 2, in Los Angeles. (AP/Ethan Swope)
On the other side of the country, dramatic scenes are unfolding on the campus of UCLA, where police have been removing barricades surrounding a pro-Palestinian encampment and are detaining protesters.
Yesterday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that “The president is being kept regularly updated on what’s happening” when asked why he hasn’t spoken out recently about the demonstrations.
RESURFACED POST COMES BACK TO HAUNT BIDEN AFTER ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS SWEEP THE NATION
Police arrive on the campus of UCLA, which has been rocked by anti-Israel demonstrations. (AP/Ethan Swope)
“He is monitoring the situation closely. So is his team,” she added. “And I would just add that no president, no president has spoken more forcefully about combating antisemitism than this president.”
Demonstrators supporting Palestinians in Gaza barricade themselves inside Hamilton Hall at Columbia University on Tuesday. (Alex Kent/Getty Images)
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Jean-Pierre also claimed that Biden is “not doing a both sides scenario here” when it comes to addressing supporters of Israelis and Palestinians.
