President Joe Biden’s Morehouse College commencement speech on Sunday was both supported and condemned, as he spoke about his administration’s investments in HBCUs, relieving the burden of student debt, growing the economy and building generational wealth for African American families.
Biden then transitioned into calling for an immediate ceasefire to stop the fighting in the Israel-Hamas war and end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“In a democracy, we debate and dissent about America’s role in the world. I want to say this really clearly. I support peaceful, nonviolent protest. Your voices should be heard. And I promise you I hear them,” Biden told Morehouse students Sunday.
Protesters both marched outside the Morehouse campus and students also engaged in silent forms of protest during Biden’s speech — with some turning their backs on the president and raising the Palestinian flag.
It was the first moment Biden spoke directly to students since protests against the Israel-Hamas war broke out on college campuses nationwide.
