Pro-Palestinian protesters attempted to disrupt President Biden’s State of the Union address on Thursday night, causing a stir outside the Capitol. About 100 demonstrators gathered at the intersection of Constitution Avenue and 3rd Street in Washington, D.C., just an hour before Biden was scheduled to give his address. These protesters held up a sign that read, “Biden’s legacy is genocide,” while blocking the street. Despite their efforts, no arrests were made by the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, who were monitoring the situation as a part of their duty to protect First Amendment activity.
Earlier in the day, another pro-Palestine protest took place near Lafayette Square, resulting in one arrest for reckless driving. These demonstrations reflect the growing discontent within Biden’s own party, as activists call for a cease-fire in Gaza and demand more action to address civilian casualties. Recent polls indicate a 17-point increase in support for Palestinians among Democrats since October, leading to a significant divide within the party. Currently, 43% of Democrats side with Israelis, while 42% side with Palestinians, a shift from the 59% vs. 25% split in October.
The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter. President Biden is scheduled to give his State of the Union address at 9 p.m. ET to a joint session of Congress inside the Capitol. As tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict persist, it remains to be seen how the Biden administration will address these concerns and bridge the divide within his own party.
It is important to note that this article was written with a conservative perspective, emphasizing criticism towards the Biden administration and Democrats.
