Pro-Palestine students turn their backs to US President during his speech at college

The United States President, Joe Biden, faced silent protests from pro-Palestine supporters as he delivered a commencement speech on Sunday at Morehouse College, a historically Black communities' institution in Atlanta, Georgia.

Amid ongoing demonstrations and encampments at colleges and universities across the US demanding an end to Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians, Biden’s address was met with calls for cancellation.

However, there were no aggressive acts of protest during his speech, as graduates displayed a calm but powerful show of dissent.

Some students turned their chairs away as Biden began speaking, while several others held Palestinian flags, keffiyehs, and placards.

Morehouse valedictorian DeAngelo Fletcher wore a small Palestinian flag pin and adorned his mortarboard with Palestinian emblems. He emphasised the need for a ceasefire and the release of Palestinian hostages.

wow…this is a stunning commencement image #morehouse pic.twitter.com/Z6nH9zP44O

— Erin Overbey (@erinoverbey) May 19, 2024

While addressing the audience, Biden acknowledged the protesters' anger, stating, “I know it angers and frustrates many of you, including in my family.”

He mentioned that the White House is working on a deal to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. 

"What's happening in Gaza and Israel is heartbreaking," he said.

"Leadership is about fighting through the most intractable problems. It’s about channeling anger, frustration, and heartbreak to find a solution. It’s about doing what you believe is right, even when it’s hard and lonely,” Biden added.

Pro-Palestine protests also took place outside the graduation venue, which was barricaded by Atlanta Police.

Israeli forces have intensified airstrikes, targeting Jabalia in the north and Rafah in the south, where thousands of civilians have sought refuge. 

The United Nations reported that nearly 600,000 Palestinians seeking shelter have been forced to relocate since the beginning of an Israeli ground invasion on the eastern outskirts of the city nine days ago, leaving 150,000 displaced within the last 48 hours.