This week marks five years since former Army officer, ex-CIA analyst and peace activist Ray McGovern was brutally ejected and arrested at George Washington University for expressing silent dissent during a speech by then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in which she lectured other countries about the importance of public protest and freedom of speech. Mr. McGovern's charges of disorderly conduct were dropped.

PCJF Executive Director Mara Verheyden-Hilliard stated, "Secretary Clinton's tolerance of the forceful ejection of Mr. McGovern, for merely turning his back in silent protest, foreshadowed Donald Trump's active encouragement of use of force against peaceful protestors at his events, including the ejection of a Muslim woman who stood silently just last month."

Verheyden-Hilliard continued, "If Secretary Clinton wishes to distinguish herself from these tactics, for which she has laid the groundwork, she can begin by apologizing to Mr. McGovern and promising to respect peaceful dissent even when her policies are being criticized."