To the editor: There is a distinction between today's protests and those that took place in the 1960s and early 1970s. Then, the students were protesting for a common cause: ending the Vietnam War promoted by the United States government. (“Today's protests are calmer than the university riots of the 1960s. So why the harsh response?” Opinion, May 14)
Today, protests taking place on campus have pitted one group of students (pro-Palestinian) against another (pro-Israel). This has created personal safety issues, both physical and mental, for students on both sides.
Furthermore, social media did not exist in the 60s. Today, it plays an important role in the escalation of conflicts. We know that many of the protesters are not students of these universities. This adds a whole new element on campuses that can escalate violence.
Schools facing these protests are dealing with yet another crisis after the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Not surprisingly, they are oscillating between overreacting and underreacting in terms of bringing in police officers.
Laurie S. Adami, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Yes, the rowdy student protesters of the '60s helped end the horrible Vietnam War. Students protesting against war today are more peaceful in comparison, so why the harsh criticism and suppression of free speech by university officials?
Why are anti-war protesters labeled anti-Semitic but pro-war activists not labeled anti-Islamic? Why does someone use the “they started it” excuse heard in playgrounds to justify the murder of 13,000 innocent women and children in the Gaza Strip?
Yes, Israel is winning battles, but it is losing the war of world opinion. The brutal conduct of the Israeli military is alienating countless former supporters and creating generations of new enemies.
If only university officials and their donor thugs had the same courage and insight as the students.
Roger Johnson, San Clemente
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To the editor: In general, I agree with NYU professor Robert Cohen that truly nonviolent student protests should be given a light touch. Where I differ with him is in the supposed non-violence of these camps.
In some cases, many of the protesters are not students, as arrest records show. Additionally, many of those involved were spreading anti-Semitic rhetoric.
Apart from that, let us not forget the rule of law. Should we decide not to enforce trespassing laws only when we agree with the protesters? If this is the case, then we need to do some real soul-searching.
Douglas Richards, Mission Viejo Ranch
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To the editor: Most rational people would completely agree that peaceful protests are part of the American fabric. But vandalism, barricades, bullying, littering, and destruction of school property are not.
No one participating in any of those activities should be surprised that there are actually consequences. In cases where the culprits can be identified, they and their parents should be billed for the cleanup.
Bill Toth, Studio City
