Different heads, same beast: Protesters challenge Democratic National Convention

August 24, 2024
Issue 
Both Democrats and Republicans have blood on their hands
'Both Democrats and Republicans have blood on their hands', protest at the Democratic National Convention. Photo: Kamala Emanuel

Inside the Democratic National Convention, the candidate for United States President, Kamala Harris, promised to "always ensure that Israel has the ability to defend itself”.

Outside, thousands of people rallied against the DNC, raising multiple issues including opposition to the Israel-US genocide in Gaza.

“Stand with Palestine: Both Democrats and Republicans have blood on their hands,” read one sign.

“The Zionist project has had no better friends than Joe Biden and Kamala Harris,” read another.

Protesting US support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza was the focus of protests on August 19, the first day of the Convention.

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The Zionist project has no better friends than Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
The Zionist project has no better friends than Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Photo: Kamala Emanuel

The Union Park rally was held several blocks from the Convention Centre and the march grew as it progressed.

The main protest on August 20 was an evening picket outside the Israeli consulate. The same evening, there was a public meeting with Kshama Sawant, former Seattle City Councillor and Jill Stein, Green presidential candidate.

Thousands marched again on August 22, the day that Harris gave her acceptance speech.

While she offered platitudes for Palestine and sympathy for those who have died, the Democratic Party denied requests from the “uncommitted” delegation to have a Palestinian speaker on the official platform. And Harris specifically promised to continue supplying Israel with military support.

Posters described the Republican and Democratic parties as the “same beast” with different heads.

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Code Pink says: Defund war
Code Pink says: Defund war. Photo: Kamala Emanuel

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Waving Palestinian flags
Waving Palestinian flags. Photo: Kamala Emanuel

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US out of the Philippines
US out of the Philippines. Photo: Kamala Emanuel

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Biden and Netanyahu puppets
Biden and Netanyahu puppets. Photo: Kamala Emanuel

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Democrats fund genocide
Democrats fund genocide. Photo: Kamala Emanuel

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