President Biden Addresses Morehouse Graduates Amid Gaza Conflict Protests

President Joe Biden delivered a commencement speech at Morehouse College in Atlanta, known for its historic ties to Martin Luther King Jr., seeking support from Black and young voters ahead of the upcoming US elections. Amid rising criticism over his stance on the Gaza conflict, Biden’s address aimed to rally support against his Republican rival, Donald Trump.

Biden’s presence at Morehouse drew protests focused on the ongoing Gaza conflict. Demonstrators voiced opposition to Biden’s policies in the Middle East, as students and faculty called for the cancellation of his speech. The college, renowned for its social justice legacy, saw some participants wearing keffiyehs and displaying Palestinian flags during the ceremony.

The controversy surrounding Biden’s appearance at Morehouse prompted a White House response, with a senior official meeting students and faculty prior to the event. Despite objections, Biden proceeded with the commencement speech, which included a call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip by Morehouse valedictorian DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher.

Amid escalating protests and global outcry over the Gaza conflict, Biden’s decision to speak at Morehouse raised concerns among civil rights groups and activists. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) criticized Biden’s address, highlighting the timing as inappropriate given the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Bernice King, daughter of the civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., expressed discontent among Black voters towards Biden, indicating a potential rupture in voter support. The event underscored the challenges faced by the Biden administration in balancing domestic concerns with international issues like the Gaza conflict.