A Biden campaign rally focused on abortion rights was interrupted 13 times Tuesday by anti-war protesters criticizing the president’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war.
During President Joe Biden’s speech, one protester shouted “Genocide Joe,” while another called for a “ceasefire now.” A separate demonstrator held a sign that read “let Gaza women live,” and yet another waved a Palestinian flag.
The interruptions were staggered just a few minutes apart, with the crowd of Biden supporters attempting to drown out the protesters with chants of “four more years” and other cheers backing the president as he attempted to power through.
“They feel deeply,” Biden said at one point in response to a protester.
He also acknowledged that the interruptions would likely persist.
“This is going to go on for a while,” Biden said. “They have this planned.”
When reached for comment, a Biden campaign official said that the event was a great speech by the president.
The interruptions came just one day after protesters used a similar tactic to disrupt a rally for former President Donald Trump in New Hampshire on the eve of the state’s primary.
Biden has previously faced anti-war protesters interrupting his events, as well as protesters outside his speech sites.
In November, an NBC News poll found that 34% of registered voters approved of his handling of the Israel-Hamas war, with 56% disapproving. The numbers were worse for the president among voters under the age of 35, with about 70% disapproving of the president’s handling of the war.
The Israel-Hamas war broke out after Hamas launched an attack on Oct. 7 that killed about 1,200 people in Israel. About 240 people were also taken to Gaza as hostages; more than 100 are still being held.
More than 25,400 people have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Biden’s campaign speech on Tuesday centered on reproductive rights and came one day after the 51st anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade ruling. The president drew a contrast between his approach to abortion protections and Trump’s policies.
“Let’s remember, it was Donald Trump and his Supreme Court who ripped away the rights and freedoms of women in America,” Biden said, referring to the court’s 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision. “It’ll be Joe Biden and [Vice President] Kamala Harris and all of you who are going to restore those rights for the women in America.”
Biden also reiterated a pledge to sign a bill restoring protections provided by Roe v. Wade if Congress sent it to his desk.
“Today’s a day to call to action with your voice, with your power, with your vote. We can restore the protections that have been around for over 50 years under Roe v. Wade,” Biden said as the audience’s applause drowned out the shouts of a protester.
