To the editor: Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the legislation faculty at UC Berkeley, is totally right (“Mahmoud Khalil’s pro-Palestinian comments are protected speech, not grounds for deportation,” op-ed, March 11). We can not selectively apply the protections of constitutionally assured free speech solely to these whose speech we like or agree with. I despise hate speech of any form, particularly antisemitic speech. It’s despicable, ugly and nearly any pejorative one can consider.
However we should always defend to the loss of life all individuals’s proper to talk freely, with out worry of punishment, deportation or retribution. In any other case our democracy is actually lifeless. The founding fathers weren’t excellent however they have been heading in the right direction, given the instances. We can not enable this sort of government-sanctioned conduct.
Diana Wolff, Rancho Palos Verdes
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To the editor: I agree with Chemerinsky that arresting former graduate pupil Mahmoud Khalil might have been an overreach; nevertheless, President Trump’s chopping $400 million in funds to Columbia College is a superb deterrent to universities that don’t take antisemitism significantly. Many universities tolerated unlawful conduct and some of their presidents have been compelled to resign in consequence.
David Waldowski, Laguna Woods
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To the editor: Chemerinsky provides an in depth evaluation of the occasions surrounding the actions of political activist Khalil as they relate to the first Modification and free speech. Given his place as dean of the UC Berkeley Regulation College, I’d count on Chemerinsky to concentrate on the Immigration and Naturalization Act concerning actions of international nationals who, as the White House alleges in this case, assist terrorist organizations, however he ignores the act in its entirety in his evaluation. Maybe he believes the act doesn’t apply on this occasion, however its omission creates a clearly biased strategy to the problem.
Scott Perley, Irvine
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To the editor: When Chemerinsky speaks, we should always all hear. Trump is harmful. He’s a risk to democracy, America and our very lifestyle. His actions concerning Khalil are blatantly unconstitutional. MAGA supporters are thrilled, I’m certain, however will they be thrilled when he comes for them? As a result of he’ll.
Scott Hughes, Westlake Village
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To the editor: For all these readers who’re nonetheless applauding the arrest and detention of Khalil, even after digesting the arguments set forth in Chemerinsky’s commentary, please contemplate the next:
What are you keen to condone or suppose crucial the federal government do with the entire Individuals, significantly these figuring out as Jewish, who wrote, spoke, marched and demonstrated in assist of the exact same causes as these expressed by Khalil? In the middle of forming a considerate response, I’d counsel studying “First They Came” within the mirror, yet one more time.
Ted Rosenblatt, Hancock Park
