In April, a student at WSU started tearing down a free speech demonstration in the heart of campus. The student cited that he felt the demonstration wasn’t accomplishing anything and would make other students on campus uncomfortable.

Little did that student know, the event was permitted by the university, and they had every right to demonstrate. The perpetrator then bragged about destroying private property on Facebook and Twitter. The president of the university spoke out against this student’s actions — thankfully. Washington State University, for the most part, has been a steadfast supporter of free speech, and I am thankful for that.

College is a place where students should be able to safely engage in thoughtful debate. Unfortunately, some students feel that is counterproductive. Free speech is continually under attack on college campuses because of how students on both the left and right feel.

Regardless of personal feelings, the First Amendment protects all students’ right to protest however they see fit. Needless to say, I am happy to be a part of an institution that holds these values dear.