Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted President Biden’s speech for the second consecutive day, this time during a United Auto Workers (UAW) union conference in Washington, D.C. The president, who had received an endorsement from UAW President Shawn Fain earlier that day, faced chants of “Free Gaza” and witnessed protesters waving Palestinian flags. Video footage captured the moment when the protesters were escorted out of the room, with union workers drowning them out by chanting “UAW.”
This incident follows another interruption the day before, when pro-Palestinian protesters repeatedly disrupted Biden’s remarks at an abortion rights rally in Manassas, Virginia. Throughout both speeches, the protesters criticized Biden’s handling of Israel’s ongoing ground offensive in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. One protester, holding a Palestinian flag, shouted, “How many kids have you killed?” before being escorted out by security.
The pro-Palestinian demonstrators are calling on the Biden administration to halt any military assistance to Israel, citing the country’s military campaign against Hamas and the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israel initiated its offensive in response to a deadly attack by the terror group on Israeli communities on October 7.
The UAW’s endorsement of Biden comes as he competes against former President Donald Trump for the support of key labor groups. UAW President Shawn Fain expressed his confidence in Biden, stating, “Joe Biden bet on the American worker, while Donald Trump blamed the American worker. We need to know who’s going to sit in the most powerful seat in the world and help us win as a united working class. So if our endorsements must be earned, Joe Biden has earned it.”
The disruptions during Biden’s speeches highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the pressure on the Biden administration to address the issue. As the protests persist, the president will need to navigate these challenges while also maintaining support from key labor groups like the UAW.
