WASHINGTON: The US State Department endorsed the right to demonstrate on Monday, but it also stated that this freedom should be used peacefully and that violent acts, looting, and burning are not acceptable.
Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the US State Department, stated these things at a press conference in Washington.
In response to a query on the May 9 riots, the representative stated that his nation opposes violence and supports lawful forms of protest.
“We oppose violent acts, vandalism, looting, and arson. We support legitimate, free expression, including the right to protest and the right to peaceful assembly.”
He declared that “the governments should deal consistently with the rule of law and free speech” and that all protests should take place in a nonviolent manner.
Following the former prime minister Imran Khan’s detention in the £190 million settlement case last year, protests broke out practically nationwide on May 9.
A large number of PTI employees and executives were imprisoned due to their involvement in acts of violence and assaults on military sites.
The General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and Jinnah House, among other civil and military buildings, were targeted by the miscreants during the riots.
The protestors were to be tried under the Army Act after the military dubbed May 9th “Black Day”.
