Pro-Palestine demonstrators clashed with California Democrats during their convention in Sacramento, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. The interruption occurred while Rep. Katie Porter was speaking, prompting the demonstrators to hold a sit-in in the convention center’s lobby. As tensions escalated, protests continued outside the convention, where activists set up 500 pairs of shoes to symbolize the 5,000 children killed in the conflict, as reported by Gaza health officials.
The convention, which commenced on Friday and concludes on Sunday, serves as a crucial step for the Democratic Party in preparation for the 2024 election. Party delegates are tasked with endorsing candidates and adopting an official platform. Several congressional representatives running for California’s open Senate seat, including Katie Porter, Adam Schiff, and Barbara Lee, were among the speakers at the event. Ahead of the convention, Barbara Lee had joined other lawmakers in advocating for an immediate ceasefire or a temporary cessation of hostilities in Israel and Gaza.
Despite the gravity of the situation and the importance of the convention, the California Republican Party, which held its own convention in September, chose to downplay the Democratic event. CAGOP Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson criticized the Democrats, accusing them of celebrating “regressive policies” that have negatively impacted the state. Patterson also referenced the recent arrests of three state lawmakers on suspicion of driving under the influence, implying that the only victory Californians could hope for from the Democratic convention is if no new DUIs were reported. The situation is developing, and updates are available through KCRA 3.
