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Uncle Joe

(59,996 posts)
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 11:42 AM Aug 22

Uncommitted Delegates Launch Sit-In After DNC Rejects Request for a Palestinian Speaker



Delegates from the Uncommitted National Movement and their allies launched a sit-in protest Wednesday night outside the convention hall in Chicago after the DNC refused to honor their request to let a Palestinian American speak onstage, despite allowing family members of an Israeli American hostage to address the convention. We hear voices from the sit-in with uncommitted delegates and their allies. “Today I watched my party say, 'Our tent can fit anti-choice Republicans,' but it can’t fit an elected official like me?” said Georgia state Representative Ruwa Romman, referring to convention addresses given by anti-Trump Republicans. Romman was among the list of speakers offered by the uncommitted movement that the DNC refused to allow on onstage. “We can’t take no for an answer here,” Minneapolis City Councilmember Jeremiah Ellison, an uncommitted delegate from Minnesota, tells "Democracy Now!".

Democracy Now! is an independent global news hour that airs on over 1,500 TV and radio stations Monday through Friday. Watch our livestream at democracynow.org Mondays to Fridays 8-9 a.m. ET.
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Uncommitted Delegates Launch Sit-In After DNC Rejects Request for a Palestinian Speaker (Original Post) Uncle Joe Aug 22 OP
What do they want? kansasobama Aug 22 #1
For someone to listen to them. n/t Uncle Joe Aug 22 #2
Right, the DNC should allow these "activists" comradebillyboy Aug 22 #3
They're speaking about their pain, families and friends. Uncle Joe Aug 22 #4
They want revenge on the Democratic Party, speak easy Aug 22 #9
They know that *rump and Republicans don't care about them, Uncle Joe Aug 22 #10
It was a Democratic Administration that supplied Israel speak easy Aug 22 #11
That's what "the mustard seed and mountain" are all about. Uncle Joe Aug 22 #13
Thy want to talk about reality in Gaza. Thy want the Democratic Party to acknowledge what is happening. mjvpi Aug 22 #12
And I want Taylor Swift to be my girlfriend. comradebillyboy Aug 22 #16
Comrade, I guess you missed my point. mjvpi Aug 22 #29
Read the speech for yourself. Kire Aug 23 #32
in 2016 Hillary spent a lot of time, indulging the far left at the DNC with nothing to show for it. nycbos Aug 22 #5
"Indulging"? n/t Uncle Joe Aug 22 #7
Spot on. comradebillyboy Aug 22 #17
What would be the consequences of Democrats publicly supporting the Palestinians? walkingman Aug 22 #6
I believe allowing a Palestinian American to air their pain Uncle Joe Aug 22 #8
I agree. Young people's vote. Back room political calculus mjvpi Aug 22 #14
Not to mention being on the righteous side of history mjvpi Aug 22 #15
How much time was the DNC given to vet the suggested speaker? thucythucy Aug 22 #18
I don't believe it would be difficult to distinguish an ethical and established Palestinian American speaker of Uncle Joe Aug 22 #19
I agree. It shouldn't be difficult to find a Palestinian American leader thucythucy Aug 22 #24
As long as it takes to read this. Kire Aug 23 #33
The article says thucythucy Aug 23 #35
Many of them celebrated Hamas massacre on October 7. nycbos Aug 22 #20
The treatment of civilians, even in a time of war, should be a concern walkingman Aug 22 #21
I see the West Bank and Gaza as two separate issues. nycbos Aug 22 #22
the blood is on the hands of the people who actually do the killing that creates the blood nt msongs Aug 22 #23
So, in regard for the deaths of German civilians during World War II, thucythucy Aug 22 #25
yep you kill somebody you are literally responsible. extenuating circumstances are a different matter. msongs Aug 22 #27
They are not separate questionseverything Aug 22 #28
Respectfully, you have missed the heart and soul of this movement. Spend 15 min looking at pictures of Gaza. mjvpi Aug 22 #30
No I have not. nycbos Aug 22 #31
Sorry, no you dont get to ruin our convention AkFemDem Aug 22 #26
Can you paraphrase how they feel? Kire Aug 23 #34
A picture (and offensive sloganeering) is worth a thousand words. Is this clear enough for anyone still confused * Oopsie Daisy Aug 23 #36
I guess the "Killer Kamala" and "Genocide Joe" nicknames didn't go over very well, eh? Oopsie Daisy Aug 23 #37

comradebillyboy

(10,423 posts)
3. Right, the DNC should allow these "activists"
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 11:48 AM
Aug 22

to come in and shit on our candidates and disrupt our convention.

Uncle Joe

(59,996 posts)
4. They're speaking about their pain, families and friends.
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 11:51 AM
Aug 22

They also know and state that *rump and the Republicans don't care about them.

Uncle Joe

(59,996 posts)
10. They know that *rump and Republicans don't care about them,
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 12:33 PM
Aug 22

and they state as much in the video.

They also know that the Democratic Party is the most inclusive political party in the United States and probably the world, we're the "big tent party," the GOP is the pup tent.

It would be illogical for them weaken the Democratic Party and by extension themselves.

They're in pain, and they just want to be heard.

speak easy

(10,367 posts)
11. It was a Democratic Administration that supplied Israel
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 12:38 PM
Aug 22

the arms they used against Gaza. If your family and friends have been killed by American made bombs, you don't give a shit bout Trump, you want revenge on the Democratic Party. Give them a platform, and they will take it.

Our target is the Democratic Party and the leadership of the party and ‘Killer Kamala’ is one of them.” Abudayyeh justifies the monikers for Biden and Harris, saying, “we feel that their administration is responsible for this ongoing war and genocide.

Hatem Abudayyeh, chair of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network
https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/interactive/2024/meet-the-dnc-protesters/

Uncle Joe

(59,996 posts)
13. That's what "the mustard seed and mountain" are all about.
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 12:54 PM
Aug 22

Not to mention they know this is an election year, that Jared Kushner; long time family friend of Netanyahu did some serious almost 3 billion dollars worth of secretive shadow diplomacy while in power and probably afterward that even *rump's state department claimed to have no detailed info on.

They know that *rump's son in law is a long time family friend of Netanyahu. that Saudi Arabia was threatening Qatar over regional influence last year before October 7th.

They know that Qatar is where Hamas political leadership outside of Gaza was located.

They also know that Netanyahu recently assassinated the top Hamas' ceasefire/peace negotiator while he was Iran.

They know that Netanyahu wants a wider war and to pull the United States into it to avoid facing his own corruption charges.

They know that Jared Kushner is buying an oligarch bomb shelter on an Island off the coast of Albania and he believes that "Gaza could be a good investment" for journalist hating MBS's money.

mjvpi

(1,565 posts)
12. Thy want to talk about reality in Gaza. Thy want the Democratic Party to acknowledge what is happening.
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 12:52 PM
Aug 22

As the dad f two 20 somethings, this is an important issue.

comradebillyboy

(10,423 posts)
16. And I want Taylor Swift to be my girlfriend.
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 01:02 PM
Aug 22

The more important goal is getting Democrats elected. The Democratic Convention is not the place to debate the internal issues of a foreign country.

I am much more concerned with the US than the internal affairs of foreign states.

mjvpi

(1,565 posts)
29. Comrade, I guess you missed my point.
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 07:40 PM
Aug 22

We need the young voters to come out in mass to help insure a win. Gaza is not about the “internal affairs of a foreign state”, it is about believing in humanity. Please dedicated 15min of your life and go online and look at pictures of Gaza, then please enjoy your dinner. Millions of human beings won’t have a dinner to enjoy.
,

nycbos

(6,278 posts)
5. in 2016 Hillary spent a lot of time, indulging the far left at the DNC with nothing to show for it.
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 12:05 PM
Aug 22

We should not be indulging these people because they will not vote for Harris anyway.

walkingman

(8,247 posts)
6. What would be the consequences of Democrats publicly supporting the Palestinians?
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 12:08 PM
Aug 22

I do not like what Israel is doing myself. Having said that, would it have a negative or positive effect on the election outcome nationwide?

The most important thing for me is to win in November.

Uncle Joe

(59,996 posts)
8. I believe allowing a Palestinian American to air their pain
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 12:18 PM
Aug 22

would be an imminently strong statement as to the Democratic Party's faith in the American People's ability to understand two sides of a long time complex argument and would be a stark juxtaposition to the Republicans' weak, rigid and myopic 1950s McCarthyite mentality.

I also believe the chances for peace would be greatly improved, along with the Democratic Party's chances in November, up and down the ticket.

thucythucy

(8,732 posts)
18. How much time was the DNC given to vet the suggested speaker?
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 01:06 PM
Aug 22

The last thing we need is for a speaker to be given a platform, and then turn out to have a history of antisemitism or pro-Hamas statements. Or someone who has publicly opposed a two state solution and has called for the destruction of Israel.

This would blow a huge hole in the news cycle, and absolutely dominate every major mainstream outlet for at least a week, just the opportunity the Trumpists are looking for.

I wouldn't necessarily object to a vetted speaker given some time to humanize the innocent civilians caught in this horrible conflict. But it would have to be carefully done.

Then too, the speaker would have to proclaim their support for Harris and the Democratic Party from the outset. It's absurd to expect a political party, at its national convention, to offer a platform to someone "uncommitted" to supporting that party's candidate, or is perhaps even hostile to that candidate.

As an aside: the demonstrations this week did more harm to the Pro-Palestinian cause than good. The fact that hardly anyone showed up, even though Michigan is right next door to Illinois, showed just how little support this group has, even among Arab Americans.

Uncle Joe

(59,996 posts)
19. I don't believe it would be difficult to distinguish an ethical and established Palestinian American speaker of
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 01:19 PM
Aug 22

their truth who also recognizes the critical need to defeat *rump, Netanyahu and Jared Kushner in order to save democracy here in the U.S. as well as over there.

When a people are in pain, they're more easily governed by emotion than reason, so I believe the best course of action would be some measure of alleviating their pain.

As for the turnout, I don't believe it to be a sign of weakness so much as a simultaneous great and desperate hope for Kamala Harris to be President and chart a more enlightened path for the U.S. Palestine, Israel and the Middle East in general combined with their existing pain.

thucythucy

(8,732 posts)
24. I agree. It shouldn't be difficult to find a Palestinian American leader
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 04:43 PM
Aug 22

who could be eloquent and considered and, in fact, help President Biden get the ceasefire he's been striving for for all these months now. I wonder if there was more of an effort, earlier on, to encourage such an event, or if it's just this particular group that has seized on this demand as the latest bit of performance politics.

Anyway, when I said the turnout or lack thereof caused more harm and good, I meant for the organizers of this specific action. I had the sense all along the larger Arab American community, which includes the Palestinian American community, were not onboard for these particular organizers and this specific week of actions. The organizers of this week's events just didn't strike me as very good at pulling together a genuine grassroots campaign for the long haul. Such an effort is difficult no matter what the issue is, and it takes a great deal of skill to work it right.

I wonder if there haven't been more astute Arab American community leaders encouraging the administration, behind the scenes, to keep working on a ceasefire. It seems to me that President Biden has put a lot of effort into these negotiations, but between Hamas on the one hand and Netanyahu on the other--and possibly Trump trying to sabotage things as well--he's had the mother of all uphill battles.

Let's hope for a breakthrough soon. The release of all the hostages, a cease fire allowing for humanitarian aid into Gaza, and the downfall--sooner rather than later--of Hamas and Netanyahu. Otherwise this horror will continue without end.

thucythucy

(8,732 posts)
35. The article says
Fri Aug 23, 2024, 07:59 AM
Aug 23

"We have been in negotiations for days." "At least a week."

Given the incredible complexity of planning and then managing a national convention, this doesn't seem very long to me. And the vetting process should take a bit longer than the fifteen minutes or so it takes to read a single article.

I've been part of organizing conferences--very small potatoes compared to a DNC--and know what headaches a last minute demand to change the schedule or add an event or speaker can be.








nycbos

(6,278 posts)
20. Many of them celebrated Hamas massacre on October 7.
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 01:38 PM
Aug 22

Last edited Thu Aug 22, 2024, 02:12 PM - Edit history (1)

Criticizing Israel, in and of itself isn't antisemitic. But openly supporting Hamas an an organization who is charter calls for the killing of all Jews is. So is stalking and harassing Jewish college students.

walkingman

(8,247 posts)
21. The treatment of civilians, even in a time of war, should be a concern
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 02:07 PM
Aug 22

for us - that includes both sides. At some point there has to be a permanent cease fire and a 2-state solution. Otherwise, the conflicts will never end. And once that happens, all parties must be held accountable.

The US loses credibility when we take sides based on politics instead of rule-of-law. We have looked the other way regarding the West Bank settlements for decades.

nycbos

(6,278 posts)
22. I see the West Bank and Gaza as two separate issues.
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 02:24 PM
Aug 22

When it comes to West Bank settlements. I agree with you. There needs to be a two-state solution. I oppose the settlements BECAUSE I am pro-Israel. I could go on a 20-minute rant about what I think of the settlers, and I would never get to the substance of your post.


When it comes to Gaza, Hamas uses civilians as human shields. They fire rockets at Israel. Israel has every right to fire back to protect their citizens. They put their launcher sites near where civilians are assembling to increase the chance of civilians being harmed, while they hide underground, like a bunch of cowards.

The death of innocent Palestinian civilians has been tragic. However, their blood is on Hamas' hands. One of the reasons I hate Hamas so much is that they make me sound like I like Netanyahu when I can't stand the SOB.


thucythucy

(8,732 posts)
25. So, in regard for the deaths of German civilians during World War II,
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 04:51 PM
Aug 22

you'd say their blood is on the hands of the American, Canadian and British crews who flew the bombers, but not on the hands of the Nazi leaders who started that war?

Bear in mind that there were also tens of thousands of French, Italian, Dutch and Belgian civilians killed by Allied bombing campaigns. French civilian casualties during the Normandy campaign alone numbered in the tens of thousands, killed mostly by Allied bombing and naval bombardment.

That blood too, squarely on the hands of Allied soldiers?

msongs

(69,951 posts)
27. yep you kill somebody you are literally responsible. extenuating circumstances are a different matter.
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 05:01 PM
Aug 22

the correct phrase is I killed somebody (accepting responsibility for an act) because (explaining why)

mjvpi

(1,565 posts)
30. Respectfully, you have missed the heart and soul of this movement. Spend 15 min looking at pictures of Gaza.
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 07:47 PM
Aug 22

Then go back to your life. Seeing what is happening there affects me deeply. Our tax dollars are doing that.

nycbos

(6,278 posts)
31. No I have not.
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 08:15 PM
Aug 22

I am a proud, Jewish American.

I marched against the Muslim ban because I thought it was a repugnant discriminatory policy, contrary to the ideas of our nation and our constitution. I marched for Eric Garner, George Floyd, Sandra Bland, Ahmad Arberry, Breonna Taylor, and several others, because Black Lives Matter. I attended the women's march after Trump's inauguration because women's rights are human rights. I attend pride parades because gay rights are human rights. I have done everything that a good progressive is supposed to do.


Hamas is a terrorist organization, whose charter calls for the killing of all Jews worldwide. After they perpetrated the largest massacre of Jews since the holocaust many of the same people I marched with celebrated on October 7. Since then, Jewish students have faced stalking, threats, and harassment on college campuses across the country because your movement sees American Jews, as responsible for the treatment of Palestinians. Decent Muslims all around the world spoke out against what happened on 9/11. They said the attackers were a disgrace to Islam. If Palestinian Americans followed suit, I would be willing to have a dialogue with them. But until then, as our friends across the pond might say "bugger off"

AkFemDem

(2,027 posts)
26. Sorry, no you dont get to ruin our convention
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 04:57 PM
Aug 22

They've made it VERY clear how they feel about the DNC, President Biden, and VP Harris. Why TF would they expect MY party (as opposed to theirs, they have turned their back on it) to give them a platform that they'd use to further malign MY party and MY candidate? Oh hell no, they can just stay outside.

Oopsie Daisy

(4,340 posts)
36. A picture (and offensive sloganeering) is worth a thousand words. Is this clear enough for anyone still confused *
Fri Aug 23, 2024, 09:46 AM
Aug 23

* and needing paraphrasing and visual aids?













Oopsie Daisy

(4,340 posts)
37. I guess the "Killer Kamala" and "Genocide Joe" nicknames didn't go over very well, eh?
Fri Aug 23, 2024, 09:49 AM
Aug 23

Jackass losers. Whining that the DNC wouldn't give them a national platform so that they could shit on the DNC, our party, our president and our nominee. Fuck that!

Also, Jill Stein, Nazi flags, Hamas terrorist garb and Soviet uniforms at their little rally really doesn't win-hearts-and-minds either.

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