Jill Stein was arrested at a protest in support of the Palestinian people. She is the only presidential candidate to be arrested during the US presidential campaign in 2024. A number of college campuses are holding anti-war demonstrations across the United States. Jill Stein was participating in a demonstration at Washington University. Located in St. Louis Missouri, few parts of the US are isolated from the events in the Middle East. Jill Stein was accused of assaulting a police officer. Looking at footage, it shows police officers attacking non-violent protestors. If this went to court, it would show that the police were engaged in misconduct. The motivation for targeting Jill Stein could be that the Democratic Party fears third party candidates. A number of economic and foreign affairs related policies have made the situation volatile. President Biden's chances of winning reelection are reducing due to the Israel-Gaza War. Jill Stein being an anti-war candidate could attract some voters disillusioned with the Democratic and Republican Party. The challenge is the Green Party does not have the same financial power as the two major political parties. The donor class ensures that the two party system survives. The more disturbing aspect is the effort to suppress political opposition. The freedom of assembly is being threatened by law enforcement. Free speech on campuses is also being stifled under the excuse of protecting Jewish students from antisemitism Jewish students are not under attack, but there is a rise in anti-Arab racism. Universities across the United States make no such accommodations to Palestinian students. Jill Stein's arrest is further evidence that free expression and open dialogue is being phased out in higher education.
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