DETROIT — President Biden is getting a less than warm welcome in the crucial swing state of Michigan as he prepares to take the stage for his first public address since his Thursday night gaffe-filled “big boy” press conference.
Around 50 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered around the parking entrance at Detroit’s Renaissance High School, where the 81-year-old president will speak Friday evening.
“Biden, Biden, what do you say? How many kids have you killed today?” a woman shouted from a megaphone.
Other chants included “No justice, no peace” and the anti-Israel slogan “From the river to the sea, all of Gaza will be free.”
The woman declined to speak with The Post after handing off the megaphone to another event leader to continue the charge, which attendees say will continue “for hours” or until the president finishes his speech.
“How can people support a man who directly enables genocide?” Adam, a 44-year-old Michigan scientist, told The Post.
“We want an immediate halt to all arms funding for Israel and a real agreement to commit to a cease-fire.”
Adam, who kept his face hidden, said the event was organized by many different groups via email including Project 1948 and the the US Palestinian Network.
“This not just a Palestinian problem, it’s an American problem,” he said.
“It becomes an American problem when all this money is disappearing and homeless veterans die on our streets. I voted for this man, but now I needed to show up and hold him accountable. Silence is speaking right now, and those that don’t stand up to injustice will be brought to justice themselves. One vote at a time.”
“I’m here to raise awareness about genocide,” Dana, 44, told The Post.
“Today is about Biden, stopping Biden from funding genocide.”
Michigan has been a center of criticism of Biden’s support for Israel, especially since Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre that triggered the war.
In the state’s Democratic primary, its large Arab-American population contributed to the 100,000 uncommitted votes meant to send the president a message.
Groups plan a protest Sunday in front of the state’s largest Holocaust museum, Farmington Hills’ Zekelman Holocaust Center.
Biden’s Israel support made him vulnerable even before his disastrous debate performance last month raised questions about his mental fitness.
In other words, even if the president were 20 years younger, the war in Gaza would still pose something of a challenge to his re-election efforts.