President Joe Biden in Atlanta

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Before President Joe Biden’s opening speech Sunday at Morehouse, the White House held a two-hour meeting with students and faculty at the nationally renowned HBCU.

Steven Benjamin, senior advisor to the president, met with the school Friday morning. Early in the afternoon, Benjamin said Morehouse faculty voted to confer an honorary degree on the president.

Last month, Morehouse announced that he had invited Biden to become the second sitting U.S. president to deliver the commencement address at Morehouse College, following in the footsteps of his former boss, Barack Obama. Biden is scheduled to deliver the school’s graduation speech on Sunday, May 19 at 9 a.m.

In 2013, President Obama — under whom Biden served as vice president — delivered the Morehouse commencement address for this class.

But almost immediately after the announcement, students, faculty and alumni began expressing concern about Biden’s visit to campus. This was due to Biden’s reluctance to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. An online petition has also been launched aimed at persuading Morehouse College to rescind its invitation to Biden.

During a White House press briefing Thursday, Benjamin said Biden will be able to hear directly from those at Morehouse College on Sunday.

“I am sure the president will have the opportunity to engage with faculty, staff and students during his stay,” Benjamin said.

Biden’s speech at Morehouse is the second time he has given a commencement address at an HBCU. Last year, Biden spoke at Howard University, the alma mater of Vice President Kamala Harris.

When it came time for Sunday’s commencement ceremonies, Morehouse College President David A. Thomas detailed what will and will not be allowed.

“We will allow quiet, non-disruptive protests,” Thomas said.

He added: “We will also not ask the police to zip-tie individuals away, if I am faced with the possibility of stopping the ceremonies on the spot. »

This weekend marks the president’s first visit to the Peach State following a campaign rally in March.

Schedule for Biden’s visit to Atlanta:

Saturday May 18, 2024

12:30 p.m.: Biden leaves Joint Base Andrews en route to Atlanta.

2:00 p.m.: Biden arrives at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

4:00 p.m.: Biden attends a campaign reception in Atlanta.

Sunday May 19, 2024

9:00 a.m.: Biden delivers commencement speech at Morehouse College.

11:30 a.m.: Biden departs from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Atlanta News First will broadcast the entire Morehouse College commencement, including remarks from President Biden. Watch live at 9 a.m. by downloading the ANF+ app on Roku, AppleTV, FireTV or YouTube TV. Just search for “Atlanta News First” wherever you stream!

Biden and former President Donald Trump will also be in Atlanta on June 27, 2024 for a historic presidential debate hosted at CNN’s Atlanta studios.

The debate will be broadcast live on CNN, CNN International, CNN en Español, CNN Max and CNN.com, at 9 p.m.

Both Biden and Trump are the presumptive Democratic and Republican presidential nominees, setting the stage for a historic rematch of their 2020 campaigns. So far, they have polled well within the margins of error for every poll in election season, making Georgia a real draw.

Atlanta News First and Atlanta News First+ bring you the latest news, headlines and information as Georgia continues to play its role at the forefront of national politics. Download our Atlanta News First app for the latest political news and information.

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