President Biden delivers commencement speech at Atlanta college

ATLANTA (NBC, KYMA/KECY) – President Joe Biden delivered his commencement address Sunday morning at Morehouse College in Atlanta, his most direct engagement with students since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas.

In a nod to pro-Palestinian sentiment among students and faculty, Biden reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, more humanitarian aid to the region and support for a solution to two states which would lead to the creation of a Palestinian state. .

As Biden took the stage, the graduating students remained seated and silent, even as older alumni nearby applauded and a handful of students in the crowd turned away from him.

“Democracy also means hearing and taking into account your generations called to create a community without armed violence and a planet without climate crisis and to show your power to change the world. But also know that some of you have asked .What is democracy? We can’t stop wars and break our hearts. In a democracy we debate and disagree about America’s role in the world. I want to make it very clear. I support peaceful, non-violent protests.

President Joe Biden

Although Biden did not directly reference the action, his remarks touched on the “anger and frustration” felt by many Americans because of the war, including by members of his own family.

“Because this is one of the most difficult and complicated problems in the world, there is nothing easy about it. I know there is anger and frustration among many of you, including my family, but most of all, I know it breaks your heart and mine too. Leadership is about tackling the most intractable problems. It’s about challenging anger, frustration and grief to find a solution. it’s about doing what you believe is right, even when it’s difficult and lonely.

President Joe Biden