Protests in the United States: Joe Biden lectures Donald Trump

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A week after the death of George Floyd, Joe Biden went on Tuesday June 2 to Philadelphia, a city also shaken by riots.

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With our correspondent in Washington, Anne Corpet

Joe Biden began his speech with the last words spoken by George Floyd while dying under the knee of a white policeman: "  I can't breathe, I can't breathe  ". By using these words, which have become the rallying cry of American demonstrators, to begin his speech, the Democratic candidate wanted to demonstrate the full force of his empathy.

Above all, his speech severely curtailed the president. "  Donald Trump has made this country a battlefield riddled with old resentments and new fears. He prefers to ignite the passions of his base than to take care of the needs of the population he is supposed to take care of,  "he said before adding:"  The president must contribute to solving the problems of the nation. , not make them worse  . "

Joe Biden's tone contrasted sharply with that of Donald Trump who, the day before, had spoken of terrorism to qualify the riots. And the White House tenant has threatened to mobilize thousands of heavily armed soldiers to end the looting that has punctuated certain rallies.

► Read also: Demonstrations in the United States: a general rehearsal of the presidential election?

The Democratic candidate insisted on the heavy responsibilities involved in the charge of the country. He recognized the reality of the racial divide that affects the United States, spoke of institutional racism and promised to seek to heal these wounds rather than dig them. Five months before the presidential election, and for his first exit from his state of Delaware in more than two months, Joe Biden set the tone of his campaign: that of a candidate aware of the difficulties that await him, and who seeks to pacify a country plagued by its divisions

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• United States
• Joe Biden