A group of protesters chanted slogans for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict as they interrupted US President Joe Biden during his campaign speech at a historic South Carolina church.
“If you really care about the lives lost here, you should honour the lives lost and call for a ceasefire in Palestine,” one of the protestors in the church said when the US president was speaking.
“Ceasefire Now!” she chanted along with her two partners. When other people in the church tried to interrupt them, Biden while raising both of their hands said: “That’s all right.”
Later, two of the security members took them out. “20,000 Palestinians. Their blood is on your hands,” said one of the protesters.
The incident made news headlines after a video of this bit of the event was shared on social media. One of the internet users wondered what would be the reaction if there were even larger protests in swing states like Michigan and Georgia.
But as the group of activists left, many people in the Charleston church chanted: “Four more years.” They stood up from their seats to clap for Biden.
The US president thanked his supporters and stated that he understood the protesters’ passion. “And I’ve been quietly working with the Israeli government to get them to reduce and significantly get out of Gaza using all that I can to do.”
The disruption of Biden’s speech came a few hours after the New York City activists closed the Holland Tunnel and three major Manhattan bridges in support of Palestinians.
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A news report by the Meet the Press show on MSNBC showed that 70% of the young voters, aged 18-34, disapproved of Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war.
Several actors in the West and East have called for an immediate Gaza ceasefire, citing that the biggest number of casualties in the Israeli airstrikes is children.
Last month, the UN Security Council called for boosting humanitarian assistance for Gaza. But the UN chief said the way Israel was conducting its military operation was creating “massive obstacles” to aid distribution inside the battered enclave.
