Protests in the US have long been celebrated, condemned, welcomed, muzzled
Al Jazeera
Protests, rallies, sit-ins, marches, and disruptions date from the early days of what would become the United States.
They have continued to the sights and sounds echoing across the landscapes of US colleges and universities today. Protest camps have sprung up and been forced down over Israel’s war on Gaza, which has been going on since early October.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators at US schools have been calling on their administrations to cut economic and other ties with Israel or companies they say support the war. The protest encampments started on April 17 at Columbia University and have rippled nationally.
Just as much as protest has been a part of US history, protest is being met with irritation, condemnation, anger, and even the use of law enforcement and aggressive tactics.
“Dissent is essential for democracy. But dissent must never lead to disorder,” President Joe Biden said on Thursday, summing up the enduring national paradox.