Names Leffler, Warren K., photographer. Library of Congress
‘One speaker at the press conference vowed: “The stage of the United Center [site of the Convention] was denied, but we will turn the world into a stage.“‘
CHICAGO – As the Democratic National Convention (DNC) reaches its final day, outrage is growing over the DNC leadership’s moves to prevent discussion of the Gaza crisis and its callous refusal to allow even one Palestinian-American to address the Convention from its main stage.
On Wednesday night, August 21, the Convention leadership informed Convention delegates from the Uncommitted National Movement that their request that a Palestinian-American be allowed to address the full Convention was denied. No reason was given. This prompted a sit-in outside the Convention on Wednesday night that is still going on today (August 22)..
The sit-in invoked memories of a previous Democratic gathering – the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City. At that historic meeting, representatives of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party challenged the credentials of the all-white delegation sent to the Convention by Mississippi’s still-segregated official state party organization. When the MFDP delegates were offered the “compromise” of two seats in the official delegation, they refused to accept the shabby proposal. Instead, they sat in on the Convention floor.
Many commentators on the 2024 Democratic Convention have drawn parallels to the notorious 1968 Democratic Convention, also held in Chicago. But as Illinois state senator Robert Peters said at a press conference held on Thursday morning, August 22 to denounce the Convention’s denial of a Palestinian speaker: “This is not our ‘68. It’s our ‘64.”
State Senator Peters was one of several speakers at that press conference. That gathering included Convention delegates from the Uncommitted National Movement; Palestinian-American elected officials; doctors who have personally witnessed the Israeli genocide in Gaza; and Muslim, Jewish, and Christian faith leaders.
Speaker after speaker at the press conference stressed that the DNC decision was not only unjust, but also stupid – and potentially injurious to the Harris-Walz campaign itself. Using a sports analogy, the veteran Arab-American political leader James Zogby called the decision “an unforced error” which will not help the candidate team which includes “Coach Walz.” He pointed out that “not a single vote [for Harris-Walz] will be lost if there is a speaker” but some will be lost if there is not a Palestinian-American speaker.
Speaker after speaker pointed out that allowing one Palestinian-American to address the Convention was a small request. Some pointed out the ominous implications of the rejection, and wondered how people concerned about genocide in Gaza could possibly believe that a Harris-Walz administration will chart a new course in the Middle East after such a denial. As one speaker said: “If the bare minimum of having a speaker is not met, how can we expect a policy shift?”
As we go to press, efforts are underway to reverse the DNC leadership’s decision, with one faith leader at the press conference calling for former First Lady Michelle Obama and former President Barack Obama to intervene and pressure the DNC to grant the request. It remains to be seen if that will happen. What is certain is that the issue of genocide in Gaza will continue to haunt the Democratic Party. One speaker at the press conference vowed: “The stage of the United Center [site of the Convention] was denied, but we will turn the world into a stage.”
Chris Mahin is a writer, speaker and teacher on contemporary U.S. politics and history, particularly on the significance of the American Revolutionary War and Civil war eras for today. He is the Electoral Desk on the People’s Tribune Editorial Board.
