A Memorable Day! President Biden Awarded Honorary Degree At Morehouse College (Videos)
President Joe Biden has been awarded an honorary degree while attending Morehouse Collegeās recent graduation ceremony. The event was reportedly filled with various reactions from students.
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Morehouse Collegeās Valedictorian Delivers Statements On Gaza
According to Teen Vogue, President Biden popped out for the ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday, May 19. Before he took the stage, Morehouseās valedictorian, DeAngelo Fletcher,Ā delivered his speech.
Fletcher reportedly called for an āimmediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza strip.ā
Furthermore, the valedictorian was reportedly met with applause from the attendees and Biden.
āIt is important to recognize that both sides have suffered heavy casualties in the wake of October 7,ā he explained. āFrom the comfort of our homes, we watch an unprecedented number of civilians mourn the loss of men, women, and children while calling for the release of all hostages. For the first time in our lives, weāve heard the global community sing one harmonious song that transcends language and culture. It is my stance as a Morehouse man, nay as a human being, to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza strip.ā
Watch Fletcherās statements and Bidenās reaction below.
President Biden Takes The Stage As Students Reportedly React
According to the outlet, as President Biden took to the stage to deliver his remarks, Morehouse alumni received him with a standing ovation. However, some students reportedly remained seated, gave Biden their backs, or walked out of the event entirely, per Teen Vogue.
When Biden is introduced to give Morehouse College commencement speech, almost all alumni standup, but almost none of the students stand pic.twitter.com/PUyB1GNxtO
ā Selina Wang (@selinawangtv) May 19, 2024
According to the New York Times, Bidenās speech was not interrupted. Additionally, 11Alive reports that the president explained that he supports āpeaceful, nonviolent protest.ā
āI want to say this very clearly. Ā I support peaceful, nonviolent protest,ā he said, per 11Alive. āYour voices should be heard, and I promise you I hear themā¦ I determined to make myā¦ administration look like Americaā¦ā
From there, Biden went on to call the events in Gaza and Israel āheartbreaking.ā
āThatās why Iāve called for an immediate ceasefire ā an immediate ceasefire to stop the fightingā¦ [and] bring the hostages home,ā he said. āAnd Iāve been working on a deal as we speak, working around the clock to lead an international effort to get more aid into Gaza, rebuild Gaza. Iām also working around the clock for more than just one ceasefire. Iām working to bring the region together. Iām working to build a lasting, durable peace.ā
Outside of his thoughts on Gaza and Israel, Biden reportedly addressed domestic issues.
Watch as the president is given his Morehouse honorary degree, and swipe to see one studentās reaction during his speech.
Morehouse Collegeās President Recently Made Headlines With A Pre-Event Warning
As The Shade Room previously reported, David A. Thomas, Morehouse Collegeās president, made headlines last week. At the time, Thomas explained that he wanted attendees to āenjoyā Morehouseās upcoming commencement ceremony.
However, he wanted to make it clear that ādisruptive behavior that prevents the ceremony or services from proceedingā would not be tolerated.
Ultimately, Thomas explained that he would āceaseā the ceremony āon the spotā if the ceremony and President Bidenās appearance were interrupted.
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