To the editor: Columnist Mary McNamara is grateful for different lessons than the ones I'm learning from college student protests across the country. (“The crackdown on student protesters shows exactly why we need them,” April 25)
What the students are teaching me is that mob rule is the way to express political opinions. But that's not the only lesson I'm supposed to be grateful to these students for: there's also the lesson of challenging authorities who have the legitimate power to enforce rules that students find inconvenient.
And it's not just students at elite universities. Bridges can be obstructed and roads blocked for hours without fear of repercussions.
McNamara may be celebrating, but I feel more alarm than appreciation for the fact that many Americans believe that nations that are victims of terrorism do not have the right to retaliate as they see fit.
Janet Weaver, Huntington Beach
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To the editor: McNamara reminds us to pay attention to history, a history that is not far behind.
It is crucial to understand that despite strong measures in response to people protesting in the days following the horrific Hamas attack on October 7 and Israel's retaliation, most students have learned how to participate in peaceful and peaceful protests. long term to make a difference.
What many university administrations cracking down on protests today fail to recognize is that there is solidarity among students of diverse backgrounds for the pro-Palestinian (not anti-Semitic) cause. Young people can see the problems clearly and, more importantly, raise their voices when necessary.
This is an opportunity for meaningful debate.
Malay Sinha, Moorpark
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To the editor: McNamara was one-sided in his condemnation of isolated acts of anti-Semitism by omitting any mention of analogous acts of anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism.
For example, according to an Intercept report, the federal government is investigating the University of Massachusetts Amherst over an allegation that a student showed up at pro-Palestinian protests and shouted, “Kill all the Arabs,” a recording of the sounds played. of the explosions. bombs and tried to ram protesters with an electric scooter.
Worse still, in November three Palestinian students in Vermont were shot by someone they believed to be anti-Arab, and in October a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy was stabbed to death in Illinois by his mother's landlord.
These are extreme examples, but many other racist acts against people protesting against Israel's genocide go unreported.
Yes, anti-Semitism should be condemned by The Times, but so should acts of racism against pro-Palestinian protesters.
David Klein, Northridge
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To the editor: At 93 years old, I have witnessed protests for civil rights, women's rights, against the Vietnam War and now against the genocidal bombing of Gaza.
In the past, protesters were almost always vilified and imprisoned. Today the pattern repeats itself.
Adults don't like their daughters and sons telling them that the policies they have supported are unfair.
Doris Isolini Nelson, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Pro-Palestinian protesters carry signs and chant: “Stop the genocide of the Palestinians.”
Israel has Palestinians in the Knesset (the country's legislative body) and in the judiciary. That is nothing genocidal.
Meanwhile, Hamas and Iran have made it clear that they want to destroy Israel. That's clearly genocide, but the protesters don't seem to care about the truth.
Alvin S. Michaelson, Marina del Rey
