Pro-Palestinian protesters target White House Correspondents Dinner

• With tensions flaring at university campuses across the country, Democrats are concerned that division over Gaza will fracture the winning coalition that Biden assembled four years ago.
• More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

Driving the news: "Why are you attending a party when people are dying," one of the protesters shouted.

Zoom out: With Biden, along with other administration officials, preparing to speak at college commencement ceremonies this spring, the White House is bracing for potential protests.

• "He is going to do his best to meet that moment as it relates to what's going on, the pain that communities are feeling," Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters this week.
• Secretary of State Antony Blinken defended the rights of protesters on university campuses, but questioned their "silence" about Hamas.
• "It's a hallmark of our democracy that our citizens make known their views, their concerns, their anger, at any given time, and I think that reflects the strength of the country, the strength of democracy," Blinken said, according to Reuters.

The big picture: Protests at the glitzy WHCD — or during high-profile events where the president is present — are not uncommon.

• Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted Biden's star-studded campaign event with former Presidents Obama and Clinton in New York City last month.
• Last year, a group of climate change activists planned a protest outside the WHCD dinner.

Zoom in: Democrats are concerned about tepid support among young voters.

• In response, Biden has been targeting core progressive voters with his public appearance and paid TV advertising.

Go deeper: Gaza protests on campus