President Joe Biden addressed over 500 graduates at Morehouse College while facing student protests, aiming to resonate with young voters and navigate support challenges ahead of the 2024 elections. The ceremony, marked by tensions around the Gaza conflict, allowed for silent protests as Biden reinforced his voter engagement strategy at other key universities.
President Biden Delivers Commencement Address at Morehouse College Amid Student Protests
Atlanta, GA – May 19, 2024
President Joe Biden delivered the commencement address at Morehouse College in Atlanta on Sunday, addressing over 500 graduates. The speech at the historically Black, all-male college aimed to connect with young voters, particularly as concerns have arisen over diminishing support from younger Black men.
Morehouse, founded in 1867, boasts notable alumni including civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Biden worked with senior aides for several days on the speech, hoping to deliver moments that resonate with a jaded electorate ahead of a potential rematch with former President Donald Trump in the 2024 elections.
The ceremony took place under heightened tension due to ongoing protests against American support for Israel amidst the Gaza conflict. Morehouse President David A. Thomas had cautioned that he would interrupt the ceremony if disruptions occurred but allowed silent protests provided they didn’t interfere with the proceedings. Some graduates donned keffiyehs as a form of peaceful protest.
After his address, Biden traveled to Detroit to speak at an NAACP event, underscoring his strategy to engage critical voter blocs in battleground states. The day also saw heightened security at other universities like George Washington University, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Tufts University, due to similar pro-Palestinian protests gripping campuses nationwide.
