Pro-Palestinian protests across US Universities: Speaker Johnson heckled during campus visit, Biden backs freedom of expression
- In Reports
- 08:27 PM, Apr 25, 2024
- Myind Staff
During a visit to Columbia University, US House Speaker Mike Johnson faced heckling amid growing protests against the Gaza war on US campuses. Johnson expressed criticism towards Columbia officials, alleging a loss of control, and demanded the resignation of university president Nemat Shafik during a tense press conference. Throughout the event, the crowd continuously interrupted him and booed both him and other Republican lawmakers in attendance.
"We cannot tolerate this level of hatred and antisemitism on our campuses, and it needs to be swiftly addressed. Those responsible for this violence must face consequences, including arrest. Today, alongside my colleagues, I am urging President Shafik to resign if she cannot promptly restore order to this situation," Johnson asserted.
The US House Speaker dismissed assertions that the protests were protected under free speech, voicing worry that Columbia had not adequately safeguarded Jewish students or restored order.
"This is concerning," Johnson emphasised. "While we uphold free speech and diversity of ideas, it must be done within the bounds of the law, which is not what we're witnessing here." Directing his message to the encamped protesters, he urged, "Return to your classes and cease this disruptive behaviour."
Despite his remarks, protesters continued to yell and heckle, chanting "We can't hear you" throughout his speech. Even during the Q&A session, coordinated chants of "Mike, you s**k" erupted, prompting Johnson to wryly comment, "Enjoy your free speech."
Johnson cautioned reporters that if the demonstrations were not promptly contained, it might warrant the deployment of the National Guard. "If these threats persist, there may come a time when the National Guard is necessary. We must restore order to these campuses," he asserted.
The Republican leader expressed his intention to urge US President Joe Biden to "take action," emphasising that the demonstrations "put a target on the backs of Jewish students in the United States."
The White House issued a statement on Wednesday affirming President Joe Biden's support for freedom of expression on American university campuses amidst the increasing protests by students against Israel's actions in Gaza. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated during a briefing, "The president believes that free speech, debate, and nondiscrimination on college campuses are important."
"We believe in people being able to express themselves in a peaceful manner. But when we're talking about hateful rhetoric, when we're talking about violence, we have to call it out," Jean-Pierre added.
On April 21st, Biden condemned "blatant anti-Semitism" on college campuses, emphasising that it has "no place" within them. Last week, student protesters at Columbia University in New York expressed solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where the death toll, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, has surpassed 34,200. They are urging Columbia and other universities to divest from companies with links to Israel. This demonstration is one of the latest clashes between law enforcement and students protesting the escalating death toll in Israel's conflict with the Palestinian militant group Hamas. At Columbia University, dozens were arrested after police were called in by university authorities to disperse an occupation.
Image Source: US News
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