At the University of Rochester we protect the rights of all in our University community to express their views, including their views on the tragedy in Ferguson, Missouri. Let me join with those who have expressed their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Michael Brown. All of us can agree that his death is a tragedy and that central fact should not be obscured.
Let me express my appreciation to the students and others who assembled last night and will assemble today to peacefully express their beliefs as well as to the Public Safety officers of our University for their professionalism in protecting the rights of those on our campus to express their views.
Peaceful assembly and expression of views are consistent with our core value of academic freedom.
There are few topics more appropriate for consideration today than that of how we can bridge the racial divides that still beset too many communities in our nation.