MANASSAS, Va. (AP) — It was President Joe Biden's first big campaign rally of the year, a chance to spotlight the issue of protecting abortion rights.
Instead, at least a dozen times during Biden's 22-minute speech, demonstrators scattered throughout the audience rose to shout out demands for a cease-fire in Gaza.
Joe!”“They feel deeply,” Biden said of the demonstrators, who were pulled from the room by security personnel.
The Democratic president is increasingly contending with protests inside and outside his events from progressives upset about his administration's support for Israel in its offensive in Gaza.
Biden campaign communications director Michael Tyler said Biden's response to demonstrators shows he's “a president who understands and respects Americans' fundamental First Amendment rights to peacefully protest."
Persons:
Joe Biden's, Joe, ”, ” Biden, Niki Thomas, Biden, Cornell Belcher, Donald Trump, Israel, John Kirby, “, Michael Tyler, he's “, “ Joe Biden, Tyler, Trump, Mother Emanuel, I’ve, Zeke Miller, Josh Boak, Michelle L, Price
Organizations:
Democratic, Israel, Health Ministry, Biden, UAW, Republican, House, AP VoteCast, Associated Press
Locations:
Va, Gaza, Virginia, Israel, United States, American, Tel Aviv, New, Iowa, New Hampshire, Indianola , Iowa, Rochester , New Hampshire, Manchester , New Hampshire, Palestine, Washington, New York