Protesters shouted chants about “Genocide” as President Joe Biden shopped with family and attended a Christmas tree event while vacationing in his family’s traditional spot.

After a lot of anticipation, news broke Tuesday night that a deal between Israel and Hamas — negotiated by international partners including Qatar, Egypt, and the United States — to release 50 hostages taken by Hamas in exchange for a four-day humanitarian “pause” in the fighting and the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners.

On Tuesday, the president and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden arrived in Nantucket for a few days’ vacation. The White House told us “The First Family will stay at the home of their friend, David Rubenstein, as they have done previously.”

On Friday, President Biden took to the lectern at the White Elephant Nantucket in Nantucket, Massachusetts to speak about the hostage deal and his role in pushing for humanitarian pauses behind the scenes.

But protesters have followed the president all around Nantucket this week as he vacations with his family. According to one pool report Friday, there were many cheering the president and “maybe a handful” of protesters as the president and first lady walked down the street:

As POTUS and FLOTUS walked up Broad Street there were large groups of people gathered. Some protesters – maybe a handful – yelled “Free Palestine” and “Ceasefire.”

Many other people were cheering.

Pool reports and cameras also caught the president’s traditional trip to the bookstore with his grandchildren:

The grandkids began to trickle out of the restaurant and into Nantucket Bookworks around 3:35 pm – Maisy, Naomi, Baby Beau and Little Hunt were first inside. About five minutes later FLOTUS and Ashley Biden walked in.

Asking if she was having a good time, FLOTUS said: “We’re having a great time thank you.”

At 3:48 pm POTUS came out of the Brotherhood of Thieves and walked toward the bookstore. It is about two doors down from the restaurant.

He was heard telling some one that he and the family had a “late lunch.”

Asked if he was going to do some Christmas shopping, POTUS said: “Yes. Can’t come without going to the bookstore. We’ve got a tradition.”

…

At 4:08 pm POTUS walked out of Nantucket Books, arm and arm with Finnegan. He was carrying a book: Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson. Naomi was beside him.

He walked into Craftmasters of Nantucket at 4:12 pm and out at 4:19 pm. Jill Biden has joined the posse of Bidens walking in and out of shops.

POTUS paused at various shops to wave to people standing in the windows. Crowds are all all over the sidewalks waving and shouting “Happy Birthday” and “Mr. President.” He is waving back and has shouted “Happy Thanksgiving.”

At 4:22 pm he walked into the Jewelers’ Gallery. Hunter, Melissa and Baby Beau sat on a bench outside. He came out at 4:25 pm.

A group of kids had been waiting at a upstairs window in the building next to the jewelry store but an agent told them to close it. They came downstairs however and POTUS stopped to chat with them. They asked for a photo with POTUS. Hunter took it.

In the about 20 minutes POTUS walked about six blocks and made his way to the town square at 4:30 pm. The agents cleared the sidewalk before him, the presidential SUV trailed him and the pool was on the opposite sidewalk, weaving its way through civilians who were waving and taking pics of POTUS with their cell phones.

During POTUS jaunt, Melissa Cohen walked behind POTUS as did Hunter. Ashley Biden wore a headband with some kind of ears or decoration. Her husband Howard was carrying Baby Beau. Peter Neal is also walking in the group.

POTUS and Bidens are now at town square for the annual tree lighting. A choir is singing traditional carols.

But C-SPAN cameras caught protesters shouting while the president shopped — and chanting about “genocide” at a Christmas tree lighting that afternoon:

At 4:35 pm the town Christmas Tree was lit.

The town crier led the countdown. Everyone clapped including all the Bidens.

POTUS was behind a metal traffic barrier to the right side of the tree. Going from his left was Little Hunt, Finnegan, Maisy holding Baby Beau so he could sit on the barrier, Jill, Natalie, Naomi and Peter.

The main crowd was in front of the tree, behind metal barriers.

As the ceremony came to a close, fewer than 10 protesters at the front of that crowd unveiled “free Palestine” and “end apartheid” signs. They were directly to POTUS’ left and in his sight line.

They yelled repeatedly: “Biden Biden you can’t hide. We charge you with genocide.”

A man went up to the microphone by the tree to remind them “this is a community tree lighting” and said while he “respected their right to the first amendment,” he asked them to stop.

They did not. But the crowd was cheering and Christmas music was blasted over the loudspeakers, drowning out the protesters. Meanwhile the children’s choir rushed over to see POTUS.

Nantucket chants “Free Palestine” while Pres. Biden shops … pic.twitter.com/HQnyZkxTGw

— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) November 24, 2023

Nantucket people to Biden: “We charge you with genocide” pic.twitter.com/TjySm0TppO

— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) November 25, 2023

Watch above via C-SPAN.

 

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