VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION CAN SHIELD ANARCHY

Re: Cops on campus, May 4

I am shocked but not surprised by the reticence of campuses to deal with the protests and protesters in an appropriate way.

People have a right to voice their opinions. They do not have a right to place other people in danger through threat, incitement to violence or blockade. They do not have the right to cause Jewish students to fear universities and to hide. I would say the same if Jewish students were attacking pro-palestinians.

Violence begets violence. Calling for “death to Jews” is an old, too often used battle cry. It is not a call for peace, for reasoned negotiation or for justice. It represents nothing but hate.

On a political level, the promulgation of hateful, threatening language and incitement to violence have revealed a catastrophic crack in the foundation of democracy. The protection of the right of individual freedom of expression has superseded the tenets of civility, respect for others and common decency. Freedom of expression has become a shield behind which anarchy can flourish.

I suggest that Roberta Lexier, the author of Cops on campus, has missed the point. Police moved in not because they were criminalizing freedom of speech but because protesters had overstepped the fine line between freedom of speech and incitement to hatred and violence.

Lexier is correct in her observation that “for generations . . . colleges act as guardians to their students.” She neglects to consider that this act of guardianship applies not only to pro-palestinian protesters but also to Jewish students. They have been attacked and threatened, and many are afraid to attend their classes. The pro-palestinian protesters have caused disruption, put up blockades and, in an unfortunate number of instances, called for death to the Jews. Those are criminal acts that require a police response.

While it is nice to think that “local law enforcement largely had no jurisdiction and no authority on campuses,” that can only apply if and when the university administration protects the rights of all students. That includes the right of Jewish students to learn and study in peace, without fear and without being discriminated against by pro-palestinian academics whose politics may not allow them to treat Jewish students (Zionists) with respect and fairness. If the university cannot provide a safe academic environment for its students (Jewish and non Jewish), then the police must move in.

I agree with Lexier in her conclusion that “university administrators . . . must stop using law enforcement to prevent students from asking inconvenient questions,” but only when university administrators themselves take proper action and understand that their role as “guardians” requires them to protect all students, not just those who choose to hide behind the “sanctity” of academic freedom as a defence for criminal behaviour. Naomi Z. Levine, Indian Harbour