SAN FRANCISCO — Kamala Harris spent Sunday morning meeting with top campaign donors at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, while a crowd of protesters loudly criticized her outside. As the war in Gaza rages on, Harris could face a challenge in California from people who might otherwise be her supporters.
There probably weren’t any Trump supporters at the protest rally in Union Square, but that didn’t mean they didn’t have positive things to say about the Democrats.
“We are here to expose the hypocrisy of our elected representatives, Killer Kamala and Genocide Joe!” a young woman shouted to the crowd.
For many Palestinian supporters, there is really only one issue in this presidential race, and they see a vote for Kamala Harris as a continuation of the U.S. administration’s acceptance of Israel’s military operation in Gaza. As they marched to Harris’ Nob Hill fundraiser, their demands remained the same: an arms embargo on Israel and an immediate ceasefire.
“I think it is a grave mistake for the Democrats to completely ignore the very consistent and clear calls from young people and people of conscience in this country demanding justice in Palestine,” said protest organizer Luna Osleger-Montanez.
“We need to send a message to the Democrats, we’re not going to support you,” protester Melinda Shahr said. “You can’t just say, ‘Hey, this other guy is worse.’ That’s what they’ve been saying my whole life.”
Many said they would vote for a third-party candidate, while acknowledging that in a blue state like California, that would likely have no effect on the race. Mostly, they were there to make the war in Gaza a central focus of the campaign.
“I’m sure Kamala knows this is an issue,” said Pat Cuviello of Belmont. “It was brought up a couple of times at her meeting.”
Cuviello thought the protests could have an effect, as Harris’ tone had changed in recent days.
“She’s talking more sensitively now,” he said. “She made the first comment, you know, ‘If you’re not going to vote for Trump, keep your mouth shut.'”
That happened on August 8, when Harris told a group of hecklers in Michigan, “If you want Donald Trump to win, say so. Otherwise, I’ll speak.” The next day, Harris made this statement at a rally in Arizona: “I’ve been clear. Now is the time to make a ceasefire deal and make the hostage deal!”
“So, you know, it’s coming and this is how you get it,” Cuviello said. “This is what free speech does. It’s the importance of free speech.”
To Democrats who say that haranguing Harris over Gaza plays into Donald Trump’s hands, a protester named Dennis had this response: “Protesting genocide is somehow enabling Trump? That’s not our responsibility. That’s the responsibility of the person who’s enabling genocide. If they weren’t enabling genocide, we’d be campaigning for them. So put the responsibility where it belongs, you know?”
They say politics makes strange bedfellows, but sometimes also unlikely enemies. The pro-Palestinian protesters are directing their anger at Kamala Harris, perhaps because she is the only candidate who would listen to them.
