With chants of “who do you protect” and “fuck the police” ringing in my ears, I left the Charles Murray lecture last week.
This is the sort of nonsense protesters chanted at IU Police Department officers, Bloomington Police Department officers and any other officers of the law unfortunate enough to have been called up to keep things civil at the event.
Despite the strong passions present, Bloomington’s event remained mostly peaceful. To that, we owe a tremendous thank you to the police.
Yes, I am aware of the one incident on video of an officer shoving a student, apparently to clear the way for Murray’s car. If that was abuse of authority — six seconds of iPhone footage is not proof — then he should be prosecuted within the confines of the law. But by and large there was no outbreak of violence that day.
In spite of these sentiments of some students, the police are responsible for keeping things civil.
Contrast the event here in Bloomington with a rally for Trump supporters in Berkeley, which resulted in violent confrontation on the streets, 21 arrests — not nearly enough in my opinion — and lots of blood. That is what happens when the cops do not take an active role in preventing violence.
Everyone needs to be aware of the degree of unrest experienced in Berkeley. Groups from both sides brought sticks and body armor and prepared for violent clashes.
Mobs chased each other through several city blocks and bloodied those they could catch. Both sides knew the police would hold back because that is what they did the first two times this happened.
I have heard many students complaining about the heavy police presence at Murray’s lecture and expressing grievances about IU “protecting a fascist” and wasting money on this.
Students need to remember the police were there to protect the public order.
The mob violence in Berkeley is what happens when an impartial authority does not hold everyone accountable to universal standards of civil behavior.
I encourage everyone, especially those upset with IUPD’s handling of Murray’s visit, to watch the videos of Berkeley.
I am not so confident in the good nature of our fellow students to think that sort of violence could not happen here.
Murray deserves protection, as do the attendees, the protesters and IU’s property. Those outside the building contend that Murray is a fascist.
I have a feeling those inside would consider those outside to be blatantly against free speech. Either way, fascists on either side get to have their opinions heard without being dragged through the streets.
Let’s hear it for our boys in blue.
zaochamb@umail.iu.edu
