Biden promises ‘more than just a ceasefire’ as activists protest his Morehouse keynote address

More than a hundred activists demonstrated Sunday morning against President Joe Biden’s commencement speech at Morehouse College, denouncing the Democratic administration’s complicity in what they accuse of “genocide” committed by Israel against the Palestinian people. in Gaza.

Protesters gathered at West End Park, also known as Malcolm A light police barricade of Atlanta police officers on foot and on bicycles. – none in riot gear – prevented access to campus. The majority of the crowd did not appear to be students.

“I support peaceful, non-violent protests. Your voices must be heard. I promise you, I hear you,” Biden told Morehouse’s Class of 2024, as protesters on the campus perimeter chanted, “Biden, Biden, you can’t hide.” We accuse you of genocide.

“What is happening in Gaza and Israel is heartbreaking,” Biden continued. The president acknowledged the “horror” of Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, when the militant group captured more than 250 hostages. Around 100 of the remaining 130 hostages in captivity are believed to be still alive.

Biden also acknowledged the “humanitarian crisis” in Gaza and the thousands of “innocent Palestinians” caught in the conflict. Half of Gaza’s population – 1.1 million people – are expected to face “imminent famine” by mid-May, according to a March UN report.

“This is why I call for an immediate ceasefire. … Stop the fighting, bring the hostages home,” the president said. “I am also working around the clock to achieve more than just a ceasefire. I am working to bring the region together… (and that) we finally get a two-state solution,” he added.

The pro-Palestinian protesters represented several groups, including the Democratic Socialists of America of Atlanta (DSA), the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), and Community Movement Builders – a local black activist group – as well as students and alumni of Morehouse. and Spelman Colleges.

Atlanta’s historically black universities “were the first to disengage from apartheid South Africa, so we don’t understand,” said Amel Mohdali, a Spelman freshman who spoke during Sunday’s rally at West End Park.

On Sunday, many protesters viewed Biden and the Democratic establishment with disdain and disappointment in their handling of the crisis.

“(Israel) is a colonial and murderous state,” said Kamau Franklin, founder of Community Movement Builders. Franklin said there is no room for compromise when what he calls genocide is unfolding: “Nothing else matters when more than 30,000 people are wiped from the earth in our name, with our money and our resources. »

As Biden spoke, protesters chanted slogans such as “Biden, Biden, you are a liar – We demand a ceasefire” and made noise for about an hour outside the Morehouse campus. There were no altercations with law enforcement before they returned to West End Park and dispersed around noon.

Protests against Biden over his administration’s handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict could signal fractures among more left-leaning voters ahead of November’s presidential election.

“We are here to build an alternative,” said PSL organizer Monica Johnson. This party presents presidential candidate Claudia De la Cruz, who campaigns for an end to the Israeli occupation of Gaza. The same goes for Jill Stein, the Green Party’s presidential candidate (who has not yet registered to vote in Georgia). Small shifts in favor of third-party candidates could challenge Biden’s ability to win crucial swing states like Georgia, where the margin in 2020 was razor thin (11,779 votes).

When asked if he would vote for Biden, Daxton Pettas, a junior at Morehouse, declined to comment. He criticized the president for his administration’s support of Israel, as well as his past support as a U.S. senator for the 1994 crime bill and other policies that disproportionately affected communities of color . “They are using our institutions as pawns and oppressions of Black people here – and Brown and Black people abroad,” Pettas said.

Meanwhile, Morehouse released a post-opening statement Sunday afternoon that appeared to take credit for Biden’s call for a ceasefire.

“After many facilitated conversations with the White House among students, faculty, staff and alumni, we are humbled that President Biden has chosen the Morehouse stage to announce an additional $16 billion investment in HBCUs, as well as to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. in the Israel-Gaza war,” the statement said.

“We appreciate the partnership between President Biden and the White House staff to listen and, above all, implement what our community and global society have asked for,” he adds.

Claire Becknell contributed to this report.