'Breaking laws isn't protesting': Internet split as Stephen Colbert calls out universities for deploying armed police amid college protests

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In his characteristic comedic style, Stephen Colbert addressed the nationwide wave of college protests against the war in Gaza during his recent monologue on 'The Late Show'.

Rather than condemning the students exercising their First Amendment rights, Colbert humorously critiqued university leaders for their heavy-handed approach, deploying heavily armed police to handle the protests.

Stephen Colbert champions first amendment rights amid college protests

“Of course, one of the biggest stories right now is the nationwide pro-Palestinian student protests around college campuses in the United States in what’s been called perhaps the most significant student movement since the anti-Vietnam campus protests of the late 1960s,” Colbert said as he reached the topic.

Colbert acknowledged the significance of these student demonstrations, comparing them to historic movements like the anti-Vietnam protests of the late 1960s. He humorously reminisced about his own college days in the 1980s, contrasting the current protests with rallies for MTV and against apartheid.

'The Late Show' host didn’t join the many media personalities condemning the students protesting, instead asserting that so long as they’re peaceful, “it’s their First Amendment right.”

He did mock the way university leaders are handling the protests however, quipping that they are using the “classic de-escalation tactic of sending in heavily armed police.”

"The protests ramped up a couple of weeks ago after students erected tents on Columbia University’s main lawn to show solidarity with Gaza. The university president took the controversial step of calling the police to arrest those involved.”

Stephen Colbert underscores importance of peaceful protest

Colbert pointed out instances where university administrations resorted to police intervention, such as the recent incident at Columbia University where NYPD officers were called to remove protesters from a building.

Colbert highlighted the irony of employing armed police to handle peaceful student demonstrations, emphasizing that protesting peacefully is a fundamental right.

“Now even if you don’t agree with the subject of their protests, as long as they are peaceful, students should be allowed to protest. It’s their First Amendment right. That is the kind of idealism you learned in college, one of the few college lessons you can use your whole life. Unlike beer funneling, which you stop being able to do around 35 when your wife catches you,” Colbert joked.

Stephen Colbert lampoons heightened police presence

He humorously criticized the escalation of police presence at various campuses, noting instances where police snipers were deployed on rooftops and joking about their presence being a regular occurrence during sports events.

“So police snipers set up on the roofs of buildings at Ohio State University and Indiana University. Although the Ohio State University administration stated that these were state police officers that the school also employed during football games. ‘What are you worrying about, students? The snipers are always there. For football games, women’s volleyball, acapella.”

Colbert also touched upon the controversy surrounding protests at other universities, including UT Austin and UNC-Chapel Hill, where scores of protesters were arrested.

He humorously pointed out the absurdity of comparing student protests to events like the white supremacist riot in Charlottesville, which former President Trump infamously downplayed.

Social media highlights divergent views on Stephen Colbert's commentary

On social media, reactions to Stephen Colbert's commentary on college protests showcase a wide spectrum of opinions.

One user wrote, "I'm afraid i don't have the stomach to watch Stephen Colbert anymore, even if he happens to be right about something."

Another added, "Protest peacefully, yes. Intimidate and prevent students from going around their daily lives, no And he wasn't so forthcoming when people were protesting Covid restrictions, was he ? No, just making cringe dance routines..."

One user commented, "Breaking windows, storming buildings, breaking laws is not Protesting."

One added, "Assaulting police officers is not freedom of speech"

Another replied, "It’s important to see more of this in mainstream media."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.