As Vice President Kamala Harris received the presidential nomination at the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC), thousands of people marched near the convention demanding an end to U.S. arms shipments to Israel and the war on Gaza. The protesters, led by Palestinian and Jewish activists, represented a diverse coalition including anti-war veterans, climate justice activists, and labor organizers. Despite efforts by Democrats to keep the Palestine issue sidelined, the marchers made their voices heard, declaring Harris and President Joe Biden complicit in the genocide in Gaza. The protesters came from communities and movements that are often considered part of the Democratic coalition, warning that their votes could not be taken for granted unless the party takes concrete action to end the occupation and devastation in Palestine. Organizers estimate around 30,000 people demonstrated in Chicago over the course of the week, making Palestine impossible to ignore during the convention. The activists drew connections between the struggle for Palestinian liberation and the fight against racist violence and state repression in the U.S., challenging the Democratic Party’s complicity in both. The protests encountered a heavy police presence, with hundreds of riot police surrounding the march at all times. Despite the tension, the demonstration remained largely peaceful as the protesters demanded justice for Palestine. As Kamala Harris prepared to take the stage, the marchers continued their chants and songs, determined to keep the spotlight on the ongoing catastrophe in Gaza and the Democratic Party’s failure to address it.
The big problem with the Democrats is that they fail to acknowledge that the Republicans are not honest brokers. The Democrats insist “the system” works and if they work with the Republicans to get things done, everything will be fine.
Meanwhile the Republicans have two strategies:
When they’re in power:
“We won! You have to do things our way! Elections mean things!”
Democrats: “Fine.”
When they’re not in power:
“You’re being mean because you won! You have to do things our way or you aren’t being bi-partisan!”
Democrats: “Fine.”
They either move policy to the right, or block everything until policy moves to the right. Since they don’t actually want government to do anything, they consider both positions a win.
The Democrats are too spineless to counter this action.