Vice President Kamala Harris is encountering mounting pressure regarding her stance on anti-Israel protests expected at the upcoming Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago.
According to a report from Breitbart News, Wall Street Journal columnist Kimberley Strassel argues that Harris has missed an opportunity to distance herself from radical anti-Israel demonstrators.
The DNC, scheduled to take place in Chicago, is anticipating as many as 100,000 protesters representing various anti-Israel groups and other activist causes. Only one pro-Israel group has planned to demonstrate, and it has not received a permit from the city to march to the convention site.
Harris has previously expressed support for the "emotion" behind such protests, despite their often including antisemitic rhetoric and instances of violence on college campuses and in cities across the United States. While she has stated that she does not agree with everything said at these demonstrations, her recent hiring decisions have raised eyebrows.
The Vice President recently appointed a liaison to the Muslim and Arab communities, who has a history of participating in radical anti-Israel protests on college campuses. This individual has also argued against the notion that such protests are inherently antisemitic.
These actions have led to criticism from various quarters, with some questioning Harris's ability to take a firm stance against extremist elements within the protest movements.
The Coalition to March on the DNC, which includes organizations such as Black Lives Matter and Students for Justice in Palestine, is coordinating the transportation of protesters to Chicago. The coalition has requested donations for supplies, including medical kits, to "ensure that the March on DNC coalition" can "withstand the repression" of local law enforcement.
Kimberley Strassel from the Wall Street Journal wrote:
The Coalition to March on the DNC boasts 150 groups, including Black Lives Matter and Students for Justice in Palestine. It is already coordinating buses of protesters into Chicago. It's asking for donations for "medical kits" and other supplies to "ensure that the March on DNC coalition" can "withstand the repression" of the Chicago police. Among other groups coming are outfits like Samidoun and Behind Enemy Lines, which agitate for "direct action" that goes well beyond marching.
Other groups planning to attend include organizations that advocate for "direct action" beyond peaceful marching. Some have made references to historical protests, such as the violent demonstrations outside the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago.
The Vice President's history with protest movements has come under scrutiny in light of the upcoming DNC demonstrations. In 2020, Harris solicited bail money for Black Lives Matter rioters and participated in protests outside the White House after they had turned violent.
She also referred to federal law enforcement officers in Portland as a "paramilitary" during that period. These past actions have led some critics to question how she will respond to any potential chaos at the DNC.
The situation draws parallels to recent events at Columbia University, where President Minouche Shafik resigned due to her failure to address antisemitic protests effectively. This has raised questions about how Harris and other Democratic leaders will handle similar challenges at the convention.
Vice President Kamala Harris is facing criticism over her approach to anti-Israel protests expected at the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Her past statements supporting the "emotion" behind such demonstrations and her recent hiring decisions have drawn scrutiny. The anticipated scale of the protests, with up to 100,000 demonstrators expected, has heightened concerns about potential chaos at the event. Harris's history of involvement with protest movements has led to questions about how she will respond to any disruptions at the DNC.
