Young voters, particularly from the African American community, are expressing their concerns about President Biden’s response to the Israel-Hamas War. Demetrius Briscoe, a senior at a historically Black university, feels that President Biden’s lack of action in demanding a cease-fire is putting a stain on his presidency and could cost him support from young people in the next election. Similarly, Delaney Leonard, a student at Howard University, reports that many people are reconsidering whether they will vote for Biden next year due to his stance on the conflict. The sense of solidarity with Palestinians among African American voters can be traced back to the Civil Rights Movement, and young Black voters are looking for a candidate who will stand up for what they believe to be right. The recent polling indicates that Biden’s support from Black voters is underperforming compared to the 2020 elections.
Simultaneously, across the nation, numerous pro-Palestinian rallies have been attended by young people, with nearly 30% of them taking place on college campuses, indicating the growing concern over Biden’s response and the situation on the ground.
While Biden has been critical of how Israel is carrying out the war, Palestinian civilian casualties remain a major concern for many young African American voters. The Biden administration’s moderately reformed tone is seen as not enough by some. In the upcoming election, young voters – particularly from the African American community – are looking for an alternative or a better choice, with many expressing concern about voting for a candidate solely based on tradition.
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