As the 2024 Democratic National Convention opens Monday in Chicago, we look at the protests planned throughout the week to pressure Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party on key policies, including the ongoing U.S.-backed Israeli war on Gaza. Meanwhile, at least 36 delegates are also inside the convention as official delegates representing the “uncommitted” movement and are advocating an antiwar agenda to push for an end to U.S. arms sales to Israel. Although protesters this week come from a range of communities advocating on various issues, from economic injustice to reproductive rights, “Palestine is at the center,” says Hatem Abudayyeh, spokesperson for the Coalition to March on the Democratic National Convention and national chair of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network. “All of those communities are standing up very publicly and very proudly, saying, 'Free Palestine. End U.S. aid to Israel.'”
are they ready to put viable third party on a ballot? Right now labeling Democrats as War party says nothing. BOTH patties are War parties. Difference is Democrats somewhat care about what people say whereas Republicans care o ly about their agenda. Sending voters away from Democrats at this stage will not end war or help anyone. It is clear that Israel has enough influence over both major US parties and weapon shipments will continue. Politics is cruel: Democrats surely did the math and calculated how much will they lose on dropping Israel support from agenda. They also know Republicans will steamroll over protests and supply the same or larger amount of weaponry to Israel. So it’s a cynical math but just like Ukraine was earlier hostage to US politics Palestine now is at mercy of US election cycle and has to wait until after election when, if elected; Democrats can afford to piss of pro-Israeli groups. Republicans started that game, Dems are carrying it on. I’m also surprised that middle east cannot outspend Israel in US lobbying on behalf of Palestine. There are some of the richest countries in the world in that area. People should not die. Period. But politicians care about election cycles more. 🙁