Graduates Protest Biden At Morehouse College Commencement
The graduation ceremony at Morehouse College turned contentious as a group of students expressed their dissent by turning their backs on President Joe Biden during his commencement address.
Reports indicate that several graduates, along with a faculty member, staged a visible protest by facing away from Biden as he delivered his speech. Additionally, some students reportedly walked out of the ceremony as Biden was being honored with a degree.
The protest appeared to be linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict, with some graduates donning Palestinian flags or keffiyeh scarves, following in the footsteps of the ongoing pro-Palestine — and even pro-Hamas — protests that have been erupting at woke universities across the country.
Valedictorian DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher addressed the issue in his speech, advocating for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, stating that it was his “stance as a Morehouse man — nay, as a human being — to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.”
Biden, in his address, acknowledged the protesters and affirmed their right to peaceful protest. He reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
“I support peaceful, non-violent protest. Your voices should be heard. And I promise you, I hear them,” he said, adding soon after, “It’s a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. That’s why I’ve called for an immediate ceasefire, to stop the fighting. Bring the hostages home.”
Leading up to the ceremony, faculty members expressed concerns about potential protests over Biden’s speech. Morehouse College’s provost, Kendrick Brown, assured staff that the college would not rescind its invitation to Biden despite the rumors.
The protest underscores growing dissatisfaction among leftist voters over Biden’s mild support for Israel, as the radical left denounces even the smallest amount of support for the Jewish state. There has also been growing disillusionment among Black voters, particularly Black men, with the Biden administration. Recent polling data suggests a shift towards former President Donald Trump among black voters in key battleground states like Georgia, ahead of the 2024 election.
