Morehouse Students Protest Biden's Speech Over Israel-Palestine Policy
Maxdailynews— 27 May
Biden's Speech and Student Protests
- President Joe Biden delivered a commencement address and received an honorary degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta on Sunday, May 19.
- Several students staged pro-Palestine protests during the speech, including turning their backs and walking out.
- The students cited Biden's ongoing policy decisions in Israel's war on Gaza as their reason for protesting.
- Valedictorian DeAngelo Fletcher called for an "immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza strip" and was met with applause.
- Some graduates turned their chairs away from Biden for the duration of his speech.
- Other graduates walked out of the ceremony as a sign of protest.
Biden's Response and Continued Protests
- Biden acknowledged the protests in his speech, saying "I support peaceful nonviolent protest" and "Your voices should be heard, and I promise you I hear them."
- He also said he is "working around the clock" for an immediate ceasefire.
- Young people across college campuses have protested the war with demonstrations taking place nationwide.
- Pro-Palestine students are demanding their schools disclose and divest from companies with financial investments or economic connections to military companies connected to Israel.
- Biden's support in states like Georgia will be immensely important as the 2024 election approaches.
Background and Criticism
- Before Biden took the stage, Morehouse faculty member Elijah Nouvelage stood and faced away from the stage in protest.
- After Morehouse announced Biden as the commencement speaker, students and alumni pushed back, urging the school to reconsider.
- In an open letter to Morehouse's faculty, alumnus Dr. Marlon Millner said that Morehouse should not award an honorary degree to someone "morally complicit in a war in Gaza."
- The October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel killed 1,200 people; since then, Israel's attacks on Gaza have killed more than 35,000 people, according to the Associated Press.
- The Biden administration agreed to send another $1 billion sale of arms and ammunition to Israel.
- Valedictorian DeAngelo Fletcher called for an "immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza strip" and was met with applause.
- Some graduates turned their chairs away from Biden for the duration of his speech.
- Other graduates walked out of the ceremony as a sign of protest.
Biden's Response and Continued Protests
- Biden acknowledged the protests in his speech, saying "I support peaceful nonviolent protest" and "Your voices should be heard, and I promise you I hear them."
- He also said he is "working around the clock" for an immediate ceasefire.
- Young people across college campuses have protested the war with demonstrations taking place nationwide.
- Pro-Palestine students are demanding their schools disclose and divest from companies with financial investments or economic connections to military companies connected to Israel.
- Biden's support in states like Georgia will be immensely important as the 2024 election approaches.
- Before Biden took the stage, Morehouse faculty member Elijah Nouvelage stood and faced away from the stage in protest.
- After Morehouse announced Biden as the commencement speaker, students and alumni pushed back, urging the school to reconsider.
- In an open letter to Morehouse's faculty, alumnus Dr. Marlon Millner said that Morehouse should not award an honorary degree to someone "morally complicit in a war in Gaza."
- The October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel killed 1,200 people; since then, Israel's attacks on Gaza have killed more than 35,000 people, according to the Associated Press.
- The Biden administration agreed to send another $1 billion sale of arms and ammunition to Israel.