Dissent must never lead to disorder says Biden as he hits out at campus protests
Good morning. Before I head to North Carolina, I wanted to 1st is the right to free speech and for people to peacefully assemble and make their voices heard. The 2nd is the rule of law. Both must be upheld. We are not an authoritarian nation where we silence people or squash dissent. The American people are heard. In fact, peaceful protest is in the best tradition of how Americans respond to consequential issues. But but neither are we a lawless country. We’re a civil society. An order must prevail. Violent protest is not protected. Peaceful protest is. It’s against the law when violence occurs. Destroying property is not a peaceful protest, it’s against the law. Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduations. None of this is a peaceful protest. Threatening people, intimidating people. Instilling fear in people is not peaceful protest. It’s against the law. The Senate is essential to democracy, but dissent must never lead to disorder or to denying the rights of others so students can finish the semester and their college education.