Biden faces pushback to Morehouse college commencement speech plans

Washington, Apr 23 (FN Agency) US President Joe Biden’s tentative plans to deliver a commencement address at Morehouse College face pushback from some faculty members, NBC News reported, citing two people familiar with the matter and an email to faculty. Morehouse College, a historically black institution in Atlanta, is set to announce Biden as its 2024 commencement speaker later this week, the report said on Monday. However, the college’s administration received an inquiry from concerned faculty members about the plan, the email to faculty reportedly said. The college will hold a virtual meeting on April 25 to discuss the matter, the report said.

Administrators are worried that faculty members will join students in protesting Biden’s speech, the report said, citing one faculty member. Nevertheless, the administration does not intend to rescind its accepted invitation to Biden, according to the email to the faculty. The meeting comes amid pro-Palestine protests on college campuses around the United States, as well as pro-Palestine demonstrations at Biden events. The commencement speech would also occur in the midst of Biden’s 2024 presidential reelection campaign, in which Biden may be seeking to bolster his support among black and college-age voters.