Protestors calling for cease-fire shut down California Democratic Party convention

Demonstrators who are seeking a cease-fire solution in the Israel-Hamas war shut down a convention held by the California Democratic Party (CDP) in Sacramento, Calif. 

The Los Angeles Times reported that protestors barged through a security detail at the event Saturday evening, resulting in delegates and other participants in the convention to be temporarily boxed out from entering and exiting the building. 

Protestors were carrying signs of “Free Palestine” as they chanted “cease-fire now. Cease-fire now,” while marching through the convention hall. 

Protestors also referred to President Biden as “Genocide Joe,” also saying “bombing hospitals and children is a crime,” according to the LA Times. 

Democrats for Israel California board member Naomi Goldman told the news outlet that it was painful to hear protestors chant, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” She expressed the frustration she and other Jewish-born delegates felt who attended the convention.

“I am eagerly anticipating meaningful comment from my party on hate speech and violence targeting the Jewish community,” Goldman told the LA Times. “As well as a total denunciation of what delegates did to disrupt our assembly, and how it will ensure safe inclusive spaces for everyone who hold a diversity of opinions.”

The protest at the CDP convention is similar to the ones that occurred at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., where protestors clashed with police outside the building. The incident also saw lawmakers evacuate the building. 

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators also blocked traffic on a Boston University bridge in an effort to get Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) to change her stance on the issue. 

In a statement to the LA Times, spokesperson Sherry Yang said the CDP canceled evening events and parties “for the safety and security of our delegates and convention participants.”