Campus Clashes: Biden’s Balance on Protests and Peace

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Police advance on pro-Palestinian demonstrators in an encampment on the UCLA campus Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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“We’ve all seen images and they put to the test two fundamental American principles. First is the right to free speech. Second is the rule of law. Both must be upheld.”

That was President Biden earlier today, reaffirming the importance of peaceful protest amid the ongoing demonstration across college campuses regarding the conflict in Gaza. But he also warned that “violent protest is not protected, peaceful protest is.” 

President Joe Biden delivers remarks about student protests over the war in Gaza, from the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Speaking from the White House, the president emphasized that while America treasures free speech and dissent, it cannot descend into chaos. He also stated that protests must not disrupt order. Even as tensions rise nationwide, the administration has so far rejected calls to alter the U.S. stance towards Israeli military support.

Police advance on pro-Palestinian demonstrators on the UCLA campus Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

In a notable incident at UCLA early this morning, police in riot gear intervened to dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment after a standoff with demonstrators. The scene turned tense with police deploying flashbangs against crowds forming human chains.

A police officer stands under a Palestinian flag after a raid on an encampment on the UCLA campus Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

There are now over 120 pro-Palestinian encampments across the country.


Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.

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