During President Biden's speech in South Carolina on Monday, protestors demanded a cease-fire in Gaza, highlighting the ongoing internal divisions among Democrats regarding the situation in the Middle East.
Biden was in Charleston, South Carolina speaking to members of Mother Emmanuel Church, where a white supremacist gunman killed nine worshippers in 2015. To garner support from Black voters, Biden spoke from the pulpit of the historic church denouncing white supremacy and political violence.
In an article published by The Hill, Biden was reportedly speaking on how "the truth is under assault in America," when protestors inside the church began to yell out.
"If you really care about the lives lost here, then you should honor the lives lost and call for a cease-fire in Palestine," one woman could be heard shouting.
Multiple people then broke into chants of "cease-fire now!". It was then revealed by The Hill that Biden stood quietly as the demonstrators were escorted out and supporters began chanting "Four more years!"
He started again proclaiming, "I understand their passion," he said. "And I've been quietly working with the Israeli government to get them to reduce and significantly get out of Gaza."
Trump, Haley, and Slavery
Biden has run into protests throughout his campaign trail in recent months as his administration continues to back Israel's onslaught against Palestinian civilians in its response to Hamas' Oct. 7 terrorist attack that allegedly killed over 1,000 Israelis. The president is under growing pressure from the left to demand a halt to the violence, as Israeli airstrikes and shelling persist, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza.
Per Politico, the president resumed his previous address by reiterating that Trump is "a loser," a phrase he uttered last Friday, eliciting cheers from the audience in South Carolina. He also went after former South Carolina Gov., Nikki Haley, who initially declined to say that slavery was the cause of the Civil War during a campaign event last month.
"Let me be clear for those who don't seem to know - slavery was the cause of the Civil War," Biden said. "There's no negotiation about that."
President Biden's address in South Carolina arrives amidst declining poll numbers, especially among Black voters. Influential Black political figures, such as Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), have expressed deep worries about the Biden campaign's capacity to overcome the "MAGA wall" and effectively connect with voters.
Reuters also disclosed that South Carolina has not supported a Democrat for president since 1976. Nevertheless, Democrats argue that the state's diverse population more accurately mirrors the party's voter base . The campaign is investing earlier than ever to reach voters of color, rather than parachuting in closer to Election Day simply to drive turnout, one campaign adviser told Reuters.
