By Blake Haas
BLOOMINGTON – Hundreds of protesters across the country continue to use college campuses to voice their opinions about supporting the war in Gaza.
For those protesting, leaders want Universities to stop business with companies who support the war in Gaza.
“I’m growing more and more concerned about our education system and how these instances are being handled by administrators,” Republican Congress Darin LaHood told WJBC’s Scott Miller. “We’re seeing this play out across the country.
Peaceful protest should always be allowed, but we’re seeing this rise of hateful rhetoric against Jews, specifically across these campuses, and that’s simply unacceptable.”
At Illinois State University, those protesting abandoned their encampment Wednesday afternoon after the school said it violated campus policy.
“Hopefully, everybody remains calm and reasonable, and we get through this tumultuous period,” Illinois State University Chief of Police Aaron Woodruff said on WJBC’s Afternoon Show. “It’s unfortunate on all sides, everything that’s happening.”
In brief comments, President Joe Biden addressed the situation Thursday afternoon.
WATCH: President Joe Biden addressed the reporters Thursday afternoon.
“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.”
Universities like Southern California canceled graduation ceremonies in the wake of the protests.
Protesting remains ongoing at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.
Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].
