Fairfax County Democratic Committee Denounces the Arrest of Protesters at Virginia College Campuses

FAIRFAX COUNTY – The Fairfax County Democratic Committee (FCDC) strongly condemns the recent arrests of over 60 pro-Palestine protesters at Virginia college campuses. These individuals were peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights, advocating for causes they believe in without incitement or violence.

FCDC Chairman Aaron Yohai stated “The right to peaceful assembly is a cornerstone of our constitutional freedoms. Suppressing peaceful demonstrations through arrest is not only a violation of our First Amendment, it undermines the democratic values we all cherish. I call on all public universities in our Commonwealth to respect peaceful protests and to treat protests with dignity going forward.”

The FCDC recognizes the importance of ensuring public spaces remain arenas for free expression and robust debate. We oppose any and all forms of anti-Semitism and confirm that these protests were carried out peacefully.

We call upon law enforcement, campus authorities, and public universities to respect the civil liberties of all students and faculty. As these protests continue in our Commonwealth and nation, protests must be handled with the fairness and restraint that our constitutional protections demand.