DNC protests ‘full steam ahead,’ organizers say ‘Killer Kamala’ is face of Biden-Harris administration

Harris was once seen by Pro-Palestinian activists in the Democratic Party as being less in the pocket of Israel than President “Genocide Joe” Biden, Politico notes. She has tried to distance herself from the policies of Biden, even as she was a product of them. She was seen as being more understanding to the plight of Palestianians in Gaza and more willing to press for a ceasefire. No more.

“We all came to a consensus that it’s not going to make a difference, that [Harris] represents this administration,” Hatem Abudayyeh, chair of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, told Politico. “We’re going to stay full steam ahead.” His group was talking about “Killer Kamala” long before she was selected as the Democratic presidential candidate after Biden dropped out of the race.

The DNC is anticipated to see many protests. It has been compared to 1968 when the party also selected an unelected, appointed politician to lead the party into the presidential election. Robert F. Kennedy had won a majority of the delegates in the primaries but had been assassinated on June 6. So the party bosses made Vice President Hubert Humphrey (D-MN) as their presidential pick, prompting outrage and riots in the streets from the left-wing, counter-culture Democrats.

There are six large protests planned for this year and they will begin on Monday when the DNC begins. Those Democrats who want a debate about the party’s support for Israel's military actions, say the DNC is the appropriate place to have that discussion even though they are not convinced that Harris will play her foreign policy cards any different from Biden.

“There is admittedly a change of tone and for many, a sense of a breath of fresh air,” Linda Loew, an organizer for Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws coalition, told Politico. She has organized a march for Sunday, a day before the DNC starts and although she’s not hostile to Harris, she says “rhetoric and promises are simply not enough. We certainly are glad and welcome the support of any and all Democrats who say that they’re for any of these issues, but we need to see action.”

Activists are mad at Harris for bickering with protesters during a Michigan rally. "After she yelled at protesters, the blush started to come off the rose,” Joe Losbaker, a protest organizer and a member of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Oppression, told Politico. He plans to be out protesting this week.

“Don’t fall for the wolf in sheep’s clothing,” said Andy Thayer, who will be part of the Sunday protest. “Harris has made it clear that she is standing behind Israel 100 percent and is not going to stop the flow of arms to Israel.” Harris’ team attempted to assuage the optics of the protests while issuing an innocuous statement about peace in Gaza.

“The vice president believes making your voice heard and participating in our democracy is fundamental to who we are as Americans,” Harris campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt told Politico. “Vice President Harris supports the deals currently on the table for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and for the release of hostages.”

There could also be protests inside the convention building due to the seating of 30 delegates who are designated Uncommitted over the Biden-Harris administration's Gaza policy. “Thousands of Democrats from all across the country are showing up here in Chicago to rally behind the Harris-Walz nomination because they believe in the vision of hope and progress this ticket represents,” said convention spokesperson Emily Soong. “We support law enforcement’s efforts to protect the right to peaceful protest while not allowing any violence.”