As Kamala Harris prepares to accept the Democratic nomination for president, she faces protests from pro-Palestinian activists critical of the Biden administration’s support for Israel.
Bollywood Fever: When Vice President Kamala Harris arrives in Chicago next week to accept the Democratic Party’s nomination for the presidency, she will be met by a wave of protests centered on one of the most contentious issues of the Biden administration: its support for Israel during the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
A coalition of around 200 social justice organizations plans to march at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Monday, undeterred by President Joe Biden’s recent decision to step down from the race.
These protests, led by pro-Palestinian activists, express deep resentment over the administration’s funding of Israel, particularly during its military offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of approximately 40,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.
This conflict began after Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports.
Despite Biden’s exit from the race, Harris—who has gained significant momentum in opinion polls—now faces the challenge of uniting a discontented voter base before Election Day. Activists hold her accountable, to varying degrees, for the administration’s Israel policy, and the upcoming protests will intensify the pressure on her.
Hatem Abudayyeh, spokesperson for the March on the DNC coalition, stated that there was unanimous agreement among coalition leaders to continue their planned protests despite Harris being the nominee. “She represents the policies of the administration and it’s full steam ahead,” he said.
The march is expected to include a wide range of historically Democratic voters, many of whom have vowed not to support the party’s nominee unless the White House places conditions on its support for Israel. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll from May, 44% of Democratic registered voters disapproved of Biden’s handling of the war.
Some activists had initially hoped that Harris might take a different stance on Israel compared to Biden, noting that she was the first within the administration to call for a ceasefire. However, groups like Abandon Biden, a pro-Palestinian campaign mobilizing voters against Biden, are closely monitoring Harris’s actions before launching any potential “Abandon Harris” campaign.
“We’re going to give [Harris] a lot more grace than we gave Joe Biden,” said spokesperson Hudhayfah Ahmad, noting that the group will be present in Chicago to observe any changes in the Democratic Party’s position. “However, I will emphasize, the clock is ticking and our patience is running out.”
Organizers expect tens of thousands of protesters, representing diverse groups including Palestinian and Arab communities, Gen Z activists, African Americans, Latinos, and anti-war advocates. Despite concerns about the potential for clashes, Chicago police superintendent Larry Snelling assured that demonstrators’ free speech rights would be protected, and efforts would be made to maintain safety.
Meanwhile, the nonprofit Israeli-American Council has planned an art exhibit near the DNC to honor hostages held by Hamas and show support for Israel, reflecting the deep divisions that will be on display in Chicago as Harris steps onto the national stage.
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