Joe Biden condemns violent campus protests following police intervention at UCLA

President Joe Biden has taken a firm stance against the violence associated with pro-Palestinian demonstrations on elite campuses across the US. In his first public comments since police intervened in protests from New York to Los Angeles, Biden emphasized the importance of peaceful protests while condemning acts of chaos and lawlessness.

The scenes of chaos unfolding on US campuses have underscored the division among Democratic voters in an election year, with Bernie Sanders comparing the situation to “Biden’s Vietnam.” The recent police actions at universities like UCLA, Columbia, and others have led to over 1,600 arrests since April 18.

While Biden has faced criticism for not being more vocal against the demonstrations, former President Donald Trump has praised the police for their actions and blamed the disruptions on “radical left lunatics.” However, many Democrats and academics have expressed concerns about the heavy-handed approach taken by law enforcement.

The protests, which have led to the cancellation of graduation ceremonies and classes moving online, have sparked a debate about the balance between peaceful dissent and disorder. Biden made it clear that while dissent is essential to democracy, it should not lead to vandalism, trespassing, or denying the rights of others.

The demonstrations have also raised issues of antisemitism and prompted universities to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of students. The clashes at UCLA and USC have highlighted the tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict and the challenges of balancing free speech with maintaining order on college campuses.