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.
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