As Biden attempts to win back Black voters, he encounters nonverbal dissent at Atlanta’s Martin Luther King Jr. University.

While giving a graduating speech at Atlanta, Georgia’s historically Black Morehouse College, U.S. President Joe Biden ran into a small gathering of graduates who were silently protesting his position on the Gaza crisis. Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent figure in the civil rights movement, attended Morehouse College.

A number of graduates turned away from Biden, one raising a fist and others waving Palestinian flags. Others covered their gowns with keffiyeh scarves to show support for widespread university demonstrations against Israel’s military operations in Gaza in the wake of October 7 strikes by Hamas.

Directly addressing the demonstration, Biden emphasised his support for nonviolent protests. “I am in favour of nonviolent, peaceful protest. Dressed in the maroon and black colours of the school, he remarked, “Your voices should be heard, and I promise you I hear them.” This address was Biden’s most direct interaction with students in the midst of the continuing protests in Gaza, which have presented serious political obstacles in front of his anticipated rematch with Donald Trump in the election.

When speaking about the Gaza crisis, Biden recognised the situation’s emotional toll and complexity. “This is among the world’s most difficult and intricate challenges. There’s no getting around the fact that it’s really frustrating and heartbreaking,” he said.

First Lady Jill Biden is said to have previously pushed the president to address the growing number of civilian fatalities in Gaza, despite his lack of details. The event went on as planned, even though some Morehouse students called for him to cancel because of the tension.

Biden referred to the Gaza situation as a “humanitarian crisis” and reaffirmed his desire for a “short-term ceasefire to end hostilities and allow the hostages to return.” He promoted an independent Palestinian state as the “only solution,” highlighting the necessity of a “lasting, durable peace” in the Middle East.

“I know that many of you—including my family—are irritated and frustrated by it, but above all, I know that it hurts your feelings. It also hurts my heart.”

Over the weekend, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan travelled to Israel and Saudi Arabia with the goal of establishing a ceasefire and promoting normalisation between the two countries.

At the same time as Biden’s address, DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher, the valedictorian of Morehouse College, also called for a truce, highlighting the significant deaths that both sides had sustained since October 7. “This is what we’re up against — extremist forces aligned against the meaning and message of Morehouse,” Biden stated.

Biden’s willingness to take on difficult subjects was praised by Morehouse President David Thomas, who said, “You spoke to the hard issues confronting our nation and the world at this moment.”

As seen by subsequent surveys, Biden’s attempt to win back Black voters was part of his larger strategy, which included the speech.

Biden emphasised the historic selections made by his administration, such as the first Black female justice on the Supreme Court and Vice President Kamala Harris. He presented his outreach efforts as essential to averting Trump’s return to power and issued a warning about the increased threat posed by a possible second term for the president.

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