President Joe Biden addressed the pro-Palestinian protests that have roiled college campuses across the nation during a short address from the White House on Thursday morning.
He said that peaceful protests are an American right but "order must prevail."
"We are not an authoritarian nation where we silence people or squash dissent," Biden said.
"The American people are heard. In fact, peaceful protest is in the best tradition of how Americans respond to consequential issues. But, but neither are we a lawless country."
Biden said protesters should not be creating chaos and anti-Semitism would not be tolerated.
He went on to say, "Violent protest is not protected."
On the way out of the room a reporter asked if the National Gaurd should intervene.
Biden said, "No."
He also said also said the protests will not change his policies toward Israel.
Tensions have been building for days as college administrators have turned to law enforcement to clear encampments and building takeovers, like one at Columbia University in New York City.
Los Angeles police began dismantling plywood barriers around an encampment of pro-Palestinian protesters at UCLA early Thursday morning, following an outburst of violence when counterprotesters faced off with demonstrators on campus earlier this week
