A new poll shows that most Americans disapprove of damaging school property during campus protests.
The poll, conducted by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, surveyed 1,309 Americans between May 17 and 19 to gather their opinions on protests on college campuses.
A considerable share — 42% of those surveyed — said it is “never acceptable” for college protesters to establish encampments, 52% said it is “never acceptable” for college protesters to occupy buildings, and a whopping 79% said it is “never acceptable” for protesters to deface school property.
Polling also found that 55% of respondents said it is “always acceptable” for college protesters to hold a sign, 58% said it is “always acceptable” to create a petition, and 45% said it is “always acceptable” to march for long distances.
Additionally, 42% of respondents said they have “some” confidence in U.S. colleges, 37% said the right to freedom of speech is “somewhat” secure in the United States today, and 38% said freedom of speech on college campuses is “somewhat secure.”
The poll addresses the recent wave of college campus protests over the Gaza–Israel conflict. Demonstrations have amounted to thousands of arrests, campus closures, the cancellation of commencement ceremonies, and widespread property damage to university buildings.
Polling found that 63% of those surveyed said that the recent campus protests had “no impact on my sympathy for the Palestinians,” and 18% said students participating in campus encampments should be expelled.
Contrarily, 16% of those surveyed said the protests “made me sympathize more with the Palestinians,” and 23% said students should not be disciplined.
President Joe Biden echoed similar sentiments in a speech addressing the protests, saying, “Violent protest is not protected. Peaceful protest is.”
Biden went on to say that “destroying property is not a peaceful protest; it’s against the law. Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduations — none of this is a peaceful protest.”
“I understand that people have strong feelings and deep convictions. In America we protect the right for them to express that,” Biden said. “But it doesn’t mean anything goes.”