President Biden to Address Student Protests over Gaza War
President Joe Biden will finally break his silence on the student protests surrounding the war in Gaza on Thursday, according to a White House official. The remarks from the President come after days of quiet as law enforcement clashes with activists on college campuses. The White House official, who requested anonymity, shared the information ahead of Biden’s scheduled speech.
Background on Student Protests
Following the arrest of demonstrators at Columbia University in April, student protests against the Israel-Hamas war have spread to numerous college campuses. The students are demanding universities to cut ties with companies supporting Israel’s military efforts in Gaza and are raising concerns over the war’s death toll. Student journalists on campuses across the United States are also documenting the protests, adding to the moment of uncertainty.
Growing Tensions on College Campuses
Recent days have seen escalating tensions at colleges and universities as some demonstrators refuse to disband encampments, resulting in police action to forcefully remove them. These clashes have gained the attention of both politicians and the media, with Republicans using the unrest as a campaign tool against Democrats who are on the receiving end of blame.
Biden’s Approach to Protests and Compromise
President Biden, who has a long tenure in elected office, has never been one to actively support protesting. As a law school student at Syracuse University during the anger-fueled student protests against the Vietnam War in 1968, Biden was not one to engage with this form of activism. Instead, he has always emphasized the importance of compromise over zealousness in the political realm.
Biden Faces Criticism
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, has called for President Biden to address the student protests and denounce them. Johnson, along with other House Republicans, visited Columbia University and engaged with demonstrators there last week. President Donald Trump, never one to shy away from criticizing his rivals, also chimed in, stating that Biden should be the voice of the country and should speak out against the protests.
White House’s Response and Biden’s Scheduled Campus Visit
While the White House has acknowledged the protests and expressed concerns over whether demonstrators have engaged in unlawful behavior, it has refrained from directly engaging on the issue. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has repeatedly deflected questions regarding discipline on college campuses and the involvement of law enforcement. As for President Biden’s upcoming plans, he is slated to deliver the commencement address at Morehouse University in Atlanta on May 19.
Associated Press writer Adriana Gomez Licon in Miami and White House Correspondent Zeke Miller contributed to this report.
