President Joe Biden has spoken out for the first time following violence and arrests during demonstrations at multiple US universities, saying: “There is a right to protest but not a right to cause chaos.”
Tensions at universities across America have been building for days as demonstrators have refused to remove encampments and administrators have called in law enforcement to break them up.
There have been clashes between pro-Palestinian activists and counter-protesters, as well as between demonstrators and police.
Speaking at the White House on Thursday, Mr Biden said events at the universities “put to the test two fundamental American principles, the first is the right to free speech and for people to peacefully assemble, the second is the rule of law”.
“Both must be upheld”, the president continued. “We are not an authoritarian nation where we silence people and squash dissent. But neither are we a lawless country. We’re a civil society. And order must prevail.”
He added: “Dissent is essential to democracy but dissent must never lead to disorder or denying the rights of others so students can’t finish the semester and college education.”
Mr Biden has at times criticized Israel’s conduct in its war in Gaza, but the US has continued to supply it with weapons.
The president said the protests have not prompted him to rethink policies relating to the Middle East.
His remarks came after days of silence about the protests. During this time, Republicans have tried to use the scenes of unrest against the Democrats.
Mr Biden said he rejected efforts to use the situation to “score political points”. “This isn’t a moment for politics,” he said. “It’s a moment for clarity.”