First and foremost, we support free speech and the right to peaceably assemble, with emphasis on the word “peaceably.”

One of America’s greatest assets is that her people can express themselves freely, including expressions of their dislike for the government and its policies. But every right ends where the rights of another begin, and many — not all, but many — of the thousands of students protesting Israel’s war against terrorist group Hamas have crossed the line into hate speech and violence.

That’s why we’re glad to read News staff writer Steve Schulwitz’s recent report that there appeared to be no signs of demonstrations boiling at Alpena Community College.

We welcome the calm.

On Oct. 7, Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and kidnapping 253. In response, Israel launched a full-scale bombardment against Hamas, killing tens of thousands of Palestinians, including thousands of civilians. Some, including the International Criminal Court, say Israel may have committed war crimes in its campaign against Hamas.

The U.S. has supported Israel financially and with armaments, though President Joe Biden has warned Israel to do more to protect civilians and to allow the safe passage of more humanitarian aid in Gaza.

At campuses across the country, including here in Michigan, thousands of students have protested the war and the U.S.’s support of Israel. Some of those protests, however, have included hate speech and even violence against Jewish students. Jewish students across the country have said they feel unsafe.

Students have every right to protest the war and the U.S.’s stance toward that war, but they have no right to harm anyone else. That is not protest. That is hate.

If ACC students decide to join the protests, that would be their right, but they should do nothing to make Jewish Northeast Michiganders or anyone else feel unsafe in their communities.

Our Jewish brothers and sisters have the right to live and worship in peace.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)