Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer strongly condemned the actions of pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University, describing their behavior as criminal rather than a form of free speech. During a speech, Schumer criticized the protesters for smashing windows with hammers and occupying university buildings, emphasizing that such acts should be met with serious consequences, not just a slap on the wrist. He argued that these actions do nothing to advance their cause and instead veer into criminality. Schumer's remarks were part of a broader discussion on the Senate floor where both he and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell addressed recent campus protests, with McConnell also condemning university leaders for allowing campuses to become hotbeds of criminal activity.
Chuck Schumer condemns the protest at Columbia: "Smashing windows with hammers and taking over university buildings is not free speech. It is lawlessness. And those who did it should promptly face the consequences that are not merely a slap on the wrist." https://t.co/AFc0B5Qa8v
.@SenSchumer on protests at Columbia University: "Smashing windows with hammers and taking over university buildings is not free speech. It is lawlessness. And those who did it should promptly face the consequences that are not merely a slap on the wrist." https://t.co/HVokJJ9fJU
Both Schumer and McConnell focused on campus anti-Israel protests on the floor today. Schumer criticized "lawlessness" at Columbia and called for consequences. And McConnell condemned universities' leaders for allowing campuses to become "cauldrons of criminal chaos"
“Smashing windows with hammers and taking over university buildings is not free speech. It is lawlessness and those who did it should promptly face the consequences.” — Chuck Schumer condemns pro-Palestinian protesters taking over a Columbia University building https://t.co/hLwf3CfgB8
Chuck Schumer on Columbia University. “Smashing windows with hammers, taking over university buildings is not free speech. It is lawlessness and those who did it should promptly face the consequences that are not merely a slap on the wrist,” he said on the floor
Schumer: Smashing windows with hammers and taking over university buildings is not free speech. It is lawlessness. And those who did it should promptly face the consequences that are not merely a slap on the wrist. Free speech, discussion, and even strong disagreement are…
Schumer denounces college protests that “veer into criminality” “Those who commit such acts are doing nothing to convince others their causes are just”