Former Vice President Joe Biden spoke out against the suppression of speakers and defended free speech during an event Tuesday with Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R.).
Speaking to an audience at his alma mater, the University of Delaware, Biden said shouting down speakers is "simply wrong." Biden noted that when he was going through college, free speech was also at the forefront but it was those on the left who were "shouted down when they spoke."
The tables have turned since Biden started his freshman year in Delaware. Students and faculty of the University of California, Berkeley called for the shutdown of classes during "free speech week," adding to the growing tensions related to free speech on college campuses.
"Liberals have very short memories," Biden said. "I mean that sincerely."
Biden placed blame on those who have engaged in "violence" by stopping speakers from speaking.
"We hurt ourselves badly when we don't allow the speech to take place," he said. "Now, speech can move to the point of incitement…But the truth of the matter is, the incitement that occurs before a person even speaks—that falls on those who are engaged in that violence. Not on the speaker."
Currently, Florida has declared a state of emergency due to a speech at the University of Florida by white nationalist Richard Spencer. Florida Gov. Rick Scott stood up for free speech but stated that violence is unacceptable.
"We live in a country where everyone has the right to voice their opinion, however, we have zero tolerance for violence and public safety is always our number one priority," the statement read.
Florida's level of concern for people's safety comes after recent instances of violence perpetrated not just by white nationalists, but also from left-wing groups like Antifa.
Biden wrapped up his answer by saying that people should take it upon themselves to expose what's wrong with certain ideas.
"If your idea is big enough it should be able to compete," Biden continued. "And you should be able to listen to another point of view as virulent as it may be, and reject it, expose it."