Article Summary –
US President Joe Biden addressed a graduation ceremony at Morehouse College, a historically Black university where Martin Luther King Jr. studied, amidst anger over his support for Israel during the Gaza war. Biden’s support for Israel sparked widespread anger among progressives, youth, and Black and other voters of color. During his speech, Biden discussed the “humanitarian crisis” in Gaza and his efforts to “build a lasting and durable peace”, while several students and faculty showed their disapproval by wearing keffiyehs and some turning their backs to him as he spoke.
US President Addresses University Anger Amid Gaza Crisis
Amid tensions over the war in Gaza, President Joe Biden addressed anger on United States university campuses. Delivering a graduation speech at Morehouse College, a historically black university where Martin Luther King Jr once studied, Biden sought to rally support from Black and young voters ahead of the US elections in November.
“It’s a humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” Biden stated, adding that he is working towards a lasting peace solution. “Leadership is about working through the toughest problems, channeling anger and pain into solutions,” he further elaborated.
However, Biden’s firm support for Israel amid the Gaza conflict has sparked widespread criticism, especially amongst progressives, the youth, and voters of color. There’s been a significant loss of lives in Gaza, with over 35,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, killed since the conflict began.
Protests were held near Morehouse College, with demonstrators arguing that Biden’s Middle East policies disqualified him from giving the commencement address. Students called for the school to cancel Biden’s speech due to the disastrous humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Despite the controversy, the commencement ceremony proceeded. Photos showed students and faculty wearing keffiyehs and some turned their backs during Biden’s speech. The valedictorian, DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher, wore a Palestinian flag on his graduation cap and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The White House had sent a senior official to Morehouse College to discuss the objections to Biden’s speech. However, civil rights groups such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) argued that Biden’s speech detracted from the students and brought attention to his controversial policy on Gaza.
Over the past weeks, major protests have occurred at US universities, including Morehouse College, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and divestment from Israel. Biden earlier stated that “order must prevail” on campuses, leading to a heavy police crackdown and multiple arrests.
As protests continue worldwide amidst the Israeli invasion of Gaza, Israel is allowing minimal aid into the region, and the US continues with its criticized plan to deliver humanitarian assistance.
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