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The White House has emphasized the importance of maintaining peaceful conduct during recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations at American universities.
These remarks come in the wake of significant arrests, totaling 275 individuals across four campuses over the weekend. The protests advocate for a ceasefire in Israel’s Gaza offensive and call for universities to sever ties with Israel and affiliated companies benefiting from the conflict.
Read more; UNSC Approves Gaza Ceasefire Resolution For Ramadan 2024
University administrators face a challenge in upholding free expression while addressing concerns of anti-Semitism and hate speech arising from the rallies. Law enforcement has intervened with large-scale arrests, sometimes resorting to chemical irritants and tasers to disband demonstrators.
John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, affirmed on ABC’s This Week program, “We certainly respect the right of peaceful protests.”
Shortly before the White House statement, Northeastern University declared that the campus area where protests occurred had been secured, and operations returned to normal. The university stated that what initially began as a student-led demonstration was infiltrated by external organizers unrelated to the university. Individuals with valid school identification were released and face disciplinary measures, while those who refused to disclose their affiliation were subject to arrest.
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