Protests erupt at colleges across the country
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Clashes between police and pro-Palestinian demonstrators are intensifying.
The protests on college campuses are now getting the attention of some top lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
House Speaker Mike Johnson received a mixed reaction Wednesday at Columbia University where he condemned the ongoing student protests against the war in Gaza. He was drowned out by boos.
“Enjoy your free speech,” Johnson said.
During Johnson’s speech Wednesday, he called on the school’s president to resign if she could not get a handle on the protests.
“As Columbia has allowed these lawless agitators and radicals to take over the virus of antisemitism spread across other campuses,” Johnson said.
At the University of Texas in Austin, police in riot gear and officers on horseback confronted dozens of students participating in a pro-Palestinian rally. Several arrests were made.
The White House says it is monitoring the protest across the country.
“The president believes that free speech debate and non-discrimination on college campuses are important. They’re important American values,” said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
President Biden will be in New York Thursday, but the White House says he is not expected to stop by any college campus to speak.
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