I’ve seen several photos and videos posted from the protests this past weekend. Several of them featured protesters with flags and signs protesting Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. I too oppose the Israeli government and the IDF. I know that not everyone in this group chose not to vote for Harris, however plenty of these folks seem to be single issue voters. I personally hold a large portion of these people responsible for the current mess we are in for refusing to vote for Harris. How do you feel about this group of protesters joining in the current protest?
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I’ve seen several photos and videos posted from the protests this past weekend. Several of them featured protesters with flags and signs protesting Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. I too oppose the Israeli government and the IDF. I know that not everyone in this group chose not to vote for Harris, however plenty of these folks seem to be single issue voters. I personally hold a large portion of these people responsible for the current mess we are in for refusing to vote for Harris. How do you feel about this group of protesters joining in the current protest?
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Kamala lost because of inflation and Biden’s unpopularity. At most her Israel stance maybe cost her Michigan, maybe, and maybe the popular vote, maybe.
the more the merrier…Like what did you want to accomplish with this post?
Contrary to popular belief, or at the very least, DNC consultants’ belief, brow beating people doesn’t usually help in rallying for a cause.
I might give them some side eye but we can’t be pushing people away to fight this administration. They’ve got the trifecta, all we have are each other.
I don’t mind that group joining the protest. I do mind that group protesting their issue and not the issue the protest is about. Just like it would be weird if people were flying the Pride flag at a pro-Palestine protest. We don’t need Everything Bagel Protesting, things are allowed to be separate
How am I supposed to feel? It’s not like every person at a protest agrees politically. It’s a large crowd of people, you’re gonna get all types.
I wonder how many are secretly right wingers trying to keep the left divided but also it is the case that Biden did nothing to stop the genocide in some convoluted attempt to keep power, and then didn’t keep power. I like to say principles are to democrats what grievances are to republicans. When a democratic abandons principle that is a death spiral for that democratic. It doesn’t matter what the excuses or stakes are.
But it doesn’t help that Trump intentionally targets Palestinian protestors on universities. Of course that would only increase the number of Palestinian protestors. Combined with said protestors being more susceptible to radicalization against Democrats one wonders if that’s maybe on purpose.
> In my opinion young people today, whites, blacks, browns whatever else there is, must realize that they live in a time of revolution, a time of change. Those in power have abused it and there has got to be change. A better world needs to be built and the only way it is going to get built is by extreme methods. I will stand with anyone, I don’t care what color you are, as long as you want to change the miserable condition that exists on this earth.
— Malcolm X
I see the current situation as similar. We don’t need to agree on anything other than opposing Trump and the scumbags enabling him. We need to put out the fire before we argue about how to rebuild the house.
Feels like stolen valor. They protested a lot after the war kicked off, but protesting means nothing if it doesn’t translate to voting. Too many Pro-Pal folks proudly refused to vote despite Trump using “Palestinian” as a slur and assuring Americans he’d give Israel “whatever they need to end things.”
Too many of these people are simply unserious who don’t care about effecting change more than signaling to others a perceived moral high ground. They’re not interested in political power. Instead, they’re interested in critiquing political power.
However, I’m all for accepting them into the coalition if they become loyal Democratic voters. They just need to accept the diversity of thought on this issue among the Democratic electorate. I don’t think that’s possible, as they’ve rhetorically backed themselves into a corner by using words like “genocide” and “apartheid” to seize the moral highground. If they compromise after levying those kinds of accusations, it hurts their perceived loyalty to the cause.
Also, lots of loyal Democratic voters are older people who love Israel. Appealing to these fringe characters who are proudly and openly unreliable voters means risking angering the backbone of your party’s support. The cost/benefit analysis is trivial. These people will be taken as seriously as they choose to act.
This happens all the time. It’s understandable. Most of the organizations who put on the pro-Palestine protests have zero interest in building a mass movement, so what happens is they step in front of existing marches to get their name out there. It’s the same thing that happened during the Iraq War protests. Heck, often we’re talking about the same organizations (e.g. ANSWER -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_for_Socialism_and_Liberation).
I tend to think that left-wing protests do have a bit of a problem with what’s sometimes called the ‘uniprotest’, particularly when some of the more lunatic fringe joins in. I think embracing – or appearing to embrace – such groups can sometimes hurt the legitimacy of the primary cause, and can deter people from joining who might otherwise be interested. For example, I wouldn’t want to be seen with Palestinian protesters. Did that have an impact here? I have no idea.
They recently found an EMT in a mass grave and their cellphone footage shows a bunch of medics and ambulances being gunned down. Their lights are flashing and it’s very clear who they are.
This is contrary to what Israel said happened, who claimed they approached suspiciously and without lights.
So I’m not surprised people are out over that. I don’t think all of them held their votes like others seem to think.
The hands off protests were supposed to be a big tent. They have as much right to be there as the rest of us upset with trumps policies. A lot of us agree with them.
I think it’s great and the causes align. People need to shed resentment you may have for these folks as a good chunk of them are easily get-able Dem voters. They just couldn’t stomach the genocide they were asking for radical shit from the Harris campaign it’s just the campaign refused to separate itself from Biden for some ungodly reason.
Regardless, let me reassert, a huge chunk of these people are would-be Dem voters and they also are directionally aligned with the broader coalition at the moment.
I think that anybody who wants to show up to the protest should show up.
But I find it extremely disturbing that a large portion of the left has taken an issue which polling repeatedly shows is not a top priority for the overwhelming majority of voters even on the left regardless of their age group and have decided that it is a purity test.
Certainly, you feel the same way about repubclians and ex-trumpers at these protests, right? Same with the fence sitters who sat out, right? Dont forget the politically disengaged, too. After you’re done with your purity tests of the populace who shows up in solidarity with you, you’re then objectively left with at most a minority of active voters and curbing many potential allies.
This has been the issue with the Democratic Party and many liberals. This is the purity testing people complain about. There is an aversion to coalition building and solidarity with their fellow countrymen. This is the thing we need to get rid of if we want to win elections, and is why i think this “fuck you, you didn’t vote for my candidate, now wallow in it” stuff is toxic to the Democratic party.
I myself used to vote 3rd party in major federal elections. That is until I started paying attention and saw how much more damaging Republicans policies are than Democrat policies. So I will always make room for recent or potential converts. Especially ones whose hearts are in the right place.
Now I might not give them a mic or give them leadership the movement, but I would never turn them away from a rally.
What’s happening in Palestine is a genocide. And the fact that all our entire political system is funded and shaped by AIPAC is disgusting. Everyone should support divesting from Israel. You’re saying we can’t afford healthcare but we can afford to bomb the shit out of a place smaller than Los Angeles for a year and a half? Our government is currently targeting students who were at the protests. It’s all connected. It’s not just a single issue, it’s one huge festering issue that is part of the web of issues that has created the problems we’re in today. This is all to say, yes I’m happy they are there.
As long as the ones who pressureds folks not to vote are not seeking to be leaders in the movement, we can take more bodies on the line.
The ones that actively tried to ruin Harris’s chance at the election are kind of like taking in “homeless” Republicans to me. Y’all owe us WAY more than your bodies on the line at protests, but we will take’em.
I’m glad that people are protesting who maybe disagreed during the general, that’s part of building a coalition.
Also, not all Palestinian protestors voted the same.
I guess it’s better than nothing. I hope they show up to the polls next time and vote for the party that didn’t say they were gonna turn Gaza into a parking lot instead of staying home
Also speaking of polls, in the next election cycle: I hope they remember these moments. I hope they remember that they protested dem rallies and let the republicans talk, completely uninterrupted, and let them say whatever garbage they wanted on national TV while they heckled the party that wasn’t asking for a new strip mall in Gaza
I’m not the boss of them.
I’m not the boss of protesting either.
They have a right to say their bit. That’s democracy.
Not a “them” or “us.” Speaking out against genocide is a moral imperative, how people choose to do it depends on individual circumstance. You have no idea how people in a particular crowd of protesters against the Israeli government’s actions actually voted. I voted for Harris, and I have participated in these actions. Trump wants to make Gaza beachfront property. He is far far worse.
As annoying as their flip-flopping is, they’ve been some of the earliest and most consistent people when it comes to organizing and showing up to protest this administration.
It does bug me that people want to Israel/Palestine into everything. I don’t see either side working for peace, so I would prefer them to have their own protests. Israel and Palestine need to solve their own problem as we need to solve ours. Trump isn’t good for either Israel or Palestine, so we need get rid of him first. Israel/palestine only divides us and plays into the republican strategy.
I support this.
Protesters calling for a free Palestine are taking real risks for a cause that’s morally right, even if it’s not popular.
I heard Hasan Piker speak. I’ve seen the destruction in Gaza. I saw an elderly disabled couple living in the rubble, his wounds untreated, and his wife caring for him.
That could be anyone’s grandparents and it’s not an isolated story.
Our current government would see them all locked up, and the last one was only slightly less bad.
When we say “hands off”, that should include Palestine. Many people here in the US are directly affected by this conflict.
40% of young white women voted for Trump and you hold pro-Palestinian protestors responsible? Talk about a scapegoat tf.
You should be mindful of efforts to disparage those protestors or paint them as anti-semitic or as a monolith that didn’t vote for Harris – therefore leaving us in this mess.
We need to be a big tent coalition; MAGA can embrace outright hate groups while we must consider wether or not folks protesting an actual, observable, real life genocide occurring in 2025 for petes sake are a liability or not?
They are correct. On the factual and moral side of history. But powerful interests would much rather disparage them, attack them, and discredit their claims in any way they are able.
Consider that context when asking this question….and god bless those willing to name and reject the evil visible to any of us who have but the courage to look.
People like you are why we lost. You’d rather shun an entire group of people who are trying to be on the same side as you because SOME of them may have not voted Democrat in the general election than accept people who might have made mistakes in the past into the coalition. And for those of them who did vote for Trump, shouldn’t you be glad that more of his supporters are realizing that he’s not acting in any of their best interests and coming around to opposing him?
I hate being forced to water down our platform to appeal to some tiny percentage of mythical anti-Trump Republican voters but I’d never try to turn any of them away from a protest if they wanted to join. Politics is a numbers game. I agree with others saying this style of ‘everything and the kitchen sink’ protesting can water down the message and isn’t the most effective, but they’re still adding to the crowd and it’s still better than not showing up at all.
Allies don’t need to have identical ideologies, they just need to be united to a common goal. Personally I have no problem with pro-Palestinian protestors also protesting again Trump along side people who may have different views on the Israel/Palestinian conflict.
Seeing as Trump has actively advocated for genocide, then I don’t see why they don’t have a reason to be there.
Even if it was someone who I somehow knew didn’t vote, they’re still welcome, and for the same reason I’m ok with a Trump voter joining in. I might laugh at you for your actions punching you in the mouth, but if you’re stepping up to help fix the mess, then “here’s my tools, let’s roll up our sleeves”.
Fucking christ my guy
You guys really have a hste boner for pro-Palestinians
You are making some pretty big assumptions OP.
I support Palestinian liberation. I also voted Harris. Hell, I even campaigned for her a bit despite my misgivings.
Love it. More should join. Our movement boils down to ending institutional cruelty, proclaiming the steps needed to make that happen, and taking those steps.
I am angry that the protest votes of large groups of pro-Palestinians may have cost Harris the election, but I don’t want to live in a world without redemption because everyone makes mistakes. Join us, help us make things right, and I’ll forgive you. Of course, if I don’t know for sure you protest voted against Harris, I’m not going to assume anything.
Anyway.
About Gaza, it is absolutely devastating and the US needs to end support for Israel- and I know that Israel is important geopolitically, but I don’t want to live in a world without justice either, and Netanyahu needs to be tried for war crimes
Let them in. Yes, I believe that pro-palestinians who voted for Jill Stein were the dumbest assholes in america. And 25% of pro-palestinian voters voted for trump.
People are stupid. they make mistakes. Don’t rub their faces in it when they want to come to their senses. Welcome them with open arms.
Isn’t it the other way around? Pro-Palestinian protests were going on long before Trump was elected.
I wish these people cared half as much about voting as they do protesting.
So many folks stayed home this election and we’re now suffering the consequences.
They can protest, but it’s one reason I’m staying away from major protests. I don’t agree with them and I don’t want to participate in a rally that they’re participating in.
I think protesting against blatant war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violations of international humanitarian law bankrolled by the US government is a good thing. If you feel otherwise, I encourage you to explore why.
Are there any stats showing a significant portion of supporters of Palestine didn’t vote for Harris?
All the data I’ve seen seem to suggest that it was turn out for Trump that won the election, not people staying home and not voting for Harris.
Do they hate and want to protest against Trump? Good. That’s all I care about. I have my own opinions but I can lock that in a box if it means protesting against a common enemy.
As far as I know, they’re protesting Trump and, therefore, anyone may participate that opposes the current administration. Whether or not they actually agree upon more than an opposition to Trump doesn’t truly matter….
about time they got around to protesting trump but in my experience, they latch onto more popular movements in order to prop themselves up. have they thought of a nickname for trump like they did for biden and harris?
I think you are probably making some assumptions about people that could easily be false which would make there basically no conflict here.
Even if we accept those assumptions for the sake of argument, people are free to change their mind or be wrong about the effects certain strategies will have.
As long as they’re not radicals supporting Hamas or espousing anti-Jewish sentiment (anti-Israel and anti-Jews are not the same), I say let them.
They get on my nerves, and I’m still bitter toward them, but whatever it takes to build momentum against this regime.
I saw a lot of people in the absolute center of the maga demographic down to the duck hunt camo and dark shield sunglasses and white beard. Obviously they could have voted any way, I don’t know. The point is, in my mind, these were people who by some of my metrics of values, were passing the lowest possible threshold objection to Trump. If that’s who they were, I am grateful for their participation. Let me put it this way, I think that the issues that are at stake are important enough to let go of a thirst to shame people, as hard as that may feel. If I were to alienate Gaza only abstainers, I feel like it would be squandering the coalition that we need for reasons that are even pettier or less logical than theirs.
Anyone who’s seen the light should be welcomed. The future awaits.
Free speech is free speech.
Just another example of how the pro-pal movement is simply opportunistic and without morals. They don’t have a clear, uniting message or solution to the issues they’re facing, they just want to be seen and heard to sway opinions of under-informed people. It’s propaganda.
“Well, Of Course I Know Him. He’s Me.”
It’s fine, I don’t care. While Liberals and Leftist may not agree on certain issues pertaining to the Gaza-Israel situation but deep down both sides don’t want the Palestinian ppl getting the “trail of tears” treatment.
I seem to recall a lot of remarks made in the last 8 years that the presence of persons-with-disreputable-views at protests, if they weren’t immediately ostracized and shunned by the overall protest, indicated that the entire protest was ok with and effectively endorsed those views. Now, granted, this was often being said about Nazis showing up to unrelated protests – Palestinians, for all their considerable faults are nowhere near as one-note evil as Nazis – and I never bough into that argument anyway, so I’d be a hypocrite to argue that their presence de-legitimizes the entire protest.
At the end of the day, I’m glad that they’re contributing to the anti-trump sentiment and, if anyone in their number was adamant about not voting for Harris, I hope they have the self-reflection to feel a little bit guilty.
Fuck off. We’re not the problem. Stop taking the bait
I protest to add mass, not to gatekeep.
I’m a pro-Palestine protestor who voted Harris and I know a few more. We exist