1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

The recent wave of student protests across the nation, including at Columbia University and the University of Southern California, has resulted in numerous arrests. These protests, part of a larger movement against civilian casualties in Gaza and U.S. military support for Israel, are a critical expression of democratic values. It is requested that measures be taken to ensure the protection of these students' right to peaceful protest. The Council on American-Islic Relations has echoed this sentiment, calling for the safeguarding of students conducting peaceful demonstrations. It is essential to uphold the principles of free speech and peaceful assembly, rather than resorting to punitive measures.