President Biden Addresses Political Violence and Criticizes Trump at NAACP Speech

In his first public appearance since a recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden returned to the campaign trail. Speaking on Tuesday in Las Vegas, Nevada, Biden directly addressed the incident, which resulted in the death of a bystander and injuries to at least two others, including Trump.

"Our politics have become excessively heated," Biden remarked as he took the podium. "As I have consistently emphasized throughout my presidency, we all have a duty to reduce the temperature and condemn violence in all its forms. We must remember, in America, we are not enemies. We are friends, neighbors, and fellow Americans."

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While condemning political violence and polarization, Biden also criticized Trump, addressing his track record on various issues such as the economy, reproductive rights, and gun violence.

"Even though our politics are deeply divided, we must continue to speak the truth. Who you are, what you have done, and what you will do — these are all fair game," Biden asserted.

Biden's Remarks at the NAACP Convention

Biden delivered his remarks on the fourth day of the national convention for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), a prominent civil rights organization in the United States. His appearance followed an incident where a 20-year-old gunman fired an AR-15-style rifle at Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, exacerbating tensions ahead of the upcoming presidential election on November 5.

As Biden seeks to retain the presidency in a rematch of the 2020 race against Trump, he temporarily suspended television advertisements attacking Trump following the shooting, with both candidates calling for unity. Biden reiterated this call for unity in his speech to the NAACP convention, despite delivering pointed criticisms of Trump.

"We must unequivocally state that violence is not the answer. This should be our rallying cry as a nation. This is the unity I am advocating for," Biden declared.

After extending his prayers to the Trump family, Biden pivoted to addressing violence against the Black community, suggesting that Trump has not adequately addressed this issue. He contrasted the support Trump received after the shooting with the hostility faced by Black election workers after the 2020 election and Black police officers during the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.

He also condemned Trump's response to the murder of George Floyd, a Black man in Minnesota who died after a police officer kneeled on his neck for over nine minutes.

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"You must oppose all forms of violence if you are to speak against it. You must stand against the violence directed at presidential candidates in Pennsylvania, the violence against George Floyd in Minnesota, and the violence against Black veterans and police officers like Eugene Goodman on January 6," Biden asserted.

Importance of Black Voters in Biden's Campaign

Black voters constitute a critical constituency for Biden. In 2020, Black residents in South Carolina were instrumental in reviving Biden’s campaign during the Democratic primaries, ultimately propelling him to secure the party nomination. In the general election, 92 percent of Black voters cast their ballots for Biden.

However, Trump has attempted to erode this base of support in the current race, prompting critics to urge Democrats to prioritize the concerns of Black communities. In his speech, Biden highlighted the $16 billion allocated for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and a decrease in Black unemployment under his administration, warning that Trump’s economic policies could reverse these gains.

Biden also referenced a controversial statement made by Trump during the June 27 presidential debate, where Trump mentioned immigrants taking "Black jobs." Biden criticized this phrase as racist, reaffirming the contributions of Black individuals to the nation.

"Folks, I understand what a Black job is. It is the role of the vice president of the United States. It is the first Black president in American history, Barack Obama," Biden stated, highlighting the diversity within his administration.

Reinforcing Commitment Amid Criticism

Despite calls for him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race following a lackluster performance at the June 27 debate, Biden reiterated his commitment to remaining in the race. He used the NAACP convention’s slogan, "all in," to emphasize his resolve.

"Are you all in? Because I am all in," Biden declared.

Biden acknowledged the criticism he has faced, particularly from within his own party, likening his experience to a quote from President Harry Truman: "You want a friend in Washington? Get a dog." He expressed gratitude for the support he has received, promising not to forget it.

Speaking from Las Vegas, Al Jazeera correspondent Rob Reynolds noted the warm reception Biden received from the audience, who chanted "Four more years!" during his speech.

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"This is an appeal to that crucial demographic, that crucial voting bloc, which has largely supported Biden during this period of crisis in his campaign," Reynolds observed.

NAACP president Derrick Johnson also emphasized the importance of the Black community in the upcoming election, urging voters to focus on policy priorities rather than individual candidates or parties. Johnson reiterated the NAACP’s nonpartisan stance, advocating for voting based on what aligns best with the interests of Black communities and, consequently, America.

News Source:- aljazeera.com