To the editor: Erwin Chemendnsky, dean of the Law Faculty of UC Berkeley, is absolutely correct (“The pro-palestinian comments of Mahmoud Khalil are protected speeches, not reasons for deportation,” OP-Ed, March 11). We cannot selectively apply the protections of constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression only to those whose speech we like or agree. I despise the hate speech of any kind, especially anti -Semitic discourse. It is despicable, ugly and almost any pejorative in which it occurs.
But we must defend to death the right of all people to speak freely, without fear of punishment, deportation or compensation. Otherwise, our democracy is really dead. The founding parents were not perfect, but they were on the right path, given the Times. We cannot allow this type of behavior sanctioned by the Government.
Diana Wolff, Rancho Palos Verdes
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To the editor: I agree with Chemendnsky that arresting the former graduate student Mahmoud Khalil may have been an overrequal; However, President Trump reduces $ 400 million in funds to Columbia University is an excellent deterrent for universities that do not take anti -Semitism seriously. Many universities tolerated illegal behavior and some of their presidents were forced to resign as a result.
David Waldowski, Laguna Woods
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To the editor: Chemerinsky offers a detailed analysis of the events surrounding the activities of the Khalil political activist in relation to the 1st amendment and freedom of expression. Given its position as a dean of the Faculty of Law of the UC Berkeley, I would expect Chemerinsky to be aware of the immigration and naturalization law with respect to the activities of foreign citizens who, as the White House alleges, in this case, support terrorist organizations, but ignore the law as a whole in their analysis. It may believe that the act does not apply in this case, but its omission creates a clearly biased approach to the problem.
Scott Perley, Irvine
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To the editor: When Chemerinsky speaks, we must all listen. Trump is dangerous. It is a threat to democracy, the United States and our same way of life. His actions with respect to Khalil are blatantly unconstitutional. Magic followers are delighted, I'm sure, but will they be excited when they come for them? Because he will.
Scott Hughes, Westlake Village
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To the editor: For all those readers who still applaud the arrest and arrest of Khalil, even after digesting the arguments established in Chemendnsky's comment, consider the following:
What is willing to tolerate or think that the government does with all Americans, particularly those who identify as Jews, who wrote, spoke, marched and manifested in support of the same causes as those expressed by Khalil? In the course of the formation of a reflexive response, I would suggest reading “first came” in the mirror, once again.
Ted Rosenblatt, Hancock Park
