A swarm of thousands of protesters overturned the California Democratic Convention on Saturday, calling on party leaders to demand a ceasefire in Gaza while blocking roads in Sacramento, disrupting proceedings and causing officials to cancel planned events on Saturday. Saturday.
The protest began when several hundred people staged a sit-in inside the Safe Credit Union Convention Center building and quickly escalated as about 2,500 more people invaded the area, according to the local CBS affiliate.
Security officers closed the entrances to the building during the party convention, shouting slogans such as “Cease fire now, cease fire now,” the Los Angeles Times reported.
At one point, protesters allegedly disrupted interviews with Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schiff, as well as tech guru Lexi Reese, who are vying for the Golden State’s Senate seat.
Rep. Barbara Lee, who has supported a ceasefire, suffered no major boos while on stage at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento.
In response to the chaos, officials canceled some meetings and parties planned for later that night “for the safety of our delegates and convention participants,” the Times said.
Pro-Palestinian protesters show support for Palestine during a protest at the Memorial Auditorium on Saturday, November 18, 2023 in Sacramento.ZUMAPRESS.com Pro-Palestinian protesters carry signs and change as they disrupt the California Democratic Party’s November State Endorsement Convention 2023. ZUMAPRESS.com
Some of the protesters directed their anger at President Joe Biden, dubbing him “Genocide Joe” and saying that “bombing hospitals and children is a crime,” according to the report.
Demonstrations had begun a few blocks away and some attendees were frustrated that protesters were able to break into the building without registering.
It mirrored a similar phenomenon at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C. last Wednesday, where protesters clashed with Capitol Police.
Those protesters also demanded a ceasefire in Israel’s war against Hamas, and their protest led top House Democrats to flee the scene.
Barbara Lee has backed calls for a ceasefire in Israel.AP
The ordeal illustrated the growing schism within Israel’s war party that began with Hamas’ bloody surprise attack on October 7.
At least 1,200 Israelis have been killed, according to the country’s latest revised figures. More than 11,500 Palestinians are estimated to have died, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry, which has faced concerns about its reliability.
Amid the bitter war, there have been reports suggesting that Hamas and Israel are close to reaching a hostage deal, but nothing appears to be finalized yet.
Despite the turmoil in Sacramento, California Democrats managed to advance their Senate endorsement process.
Adam Schiff, once considered a contender for a top Democratic leadership position in the House of Representatives, is vying for California’s prized Senate seat.
In the end, no one crossed the 60% threshold needed to secure that coveted endorsement.
Lee was the strongest with 41.47% support, followed by Schiff with 40.18%, Porter with 16.06% and Reese with 0.13%.
The California Senate primary is shaping up to be one of the most expensive battles for an upper house seat of the 2024 election cycle.
Those four Democrats are vying to reclaim the former seat of Sen. Diane Feinstein, who died in September. She has been temporarily filled by Laphonza Butler, who indicated that she will not run to defend him this cycle.
Katie Porter has received endorsements from my many progressive favorites, including Elizabeth Warren.AP
Under California’s system, the top two primary vote getters advance to the general election, regardless of party. This was the case in 2016, when then-Attorney General Kamala Harris fought then-Rep. Loretta Sánchez (D-Calif.).
Democrats must defend 23 Senate seats in the 2024 cycle, compared to the 11 that Republicans must safeguard. Democrats have a slim majority of 51 to 49 seats.
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