White House Officials addressed anti-Israel protests taking place at universities across the country on Wednesday, saying President Biden believes in free speech, but when violent speech and physical intimidation takes place, it must be denounced.
At a press briefing Wednesday, a reporter asked White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre what the president thought of how the administration at Columbia University in New York had handled events.
Jean-Pierre directed questions about personnel to university officials because it was up to them to comment on the situation. But she addressed the situation at the university, saying it was a “deeply painful time for communities”.
“THE the president believes that the debate about free speech and non-discrimination on college campuses is important. These are important American values and … we will always be very clear about that here,” she said. “But you know, protests have to be peaceful, you know. Students must be safe. When we witness violent speech, we must speak out against it. When we witness physical intimidation or grotesque, anti-Semitic remarks, we must call it out. »
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Anti-Israel protesters gather outside Columbia University in New York on Tuesday. (Jeenah Moon/Getty Images)
Jean-Pierre said the White House would continue to “strongly condemn” anti-Semitism, adding that there were plans to implement the first national strategic effort to counter anti-Semitism.
She called the hateful rhetoric coming from Colombia “vile.”
The press secretary was also asked about the president’s personal reaction to the activities taking place on college campuses and what his message to them would be. demonstrate peacefully.
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Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Wednesday that the White House “cannot remain silent” in the face of violent protests taking place on college campuses. (White House)
She added that the president had been clear: “We cannot remain silent here.”
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“Silence is complicit, and we cannot allow that. We believe in First Amendment rights. We believe that people can express themselves peacefully. But when we talk about hateful rhetoric, when we talk about violence, we must denounce it.
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“Students should feel safe. Communities need to feel safe, and you know… we can’t stay silent,” Jean-Pierre said. “Obviously, this is a deeply painful moment. He sees it. He understands it, and he will always support and believe in free speech, debate and non-discrimination on college campuses.”
