President Obama on Saturday decried campus protests designed to shut down speakers that the protesters disagree with, calling instead for thoughtful discussion and fair debate.

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"There's been a trend around the country of trying to get colleges to disinvite speakers with a different point of view or disrupt a political rally," Obama said at his commencement addresses at Howard University.

"Don't do that, no matter how ridiculous or offensive you might find the things that come out of their mouths," the president said. "Because as my grandmother used to tell me, every time a fool speaks, they are just advertising their own ignorance. Let them talk.

"Listen, engage, if the other side has a point, learn from them. If they're wrong, rebut them, teach them, beat them on the battlefield of ideas."

Obama appeared to be referring to a series of incidents in recent months where controversial speakers were shouted down or had their events cancelled on college campuses, as well as loud protests that have shut down rallies for presidential candidates.