Democrats' rift over Israel turns physical, leading to black eyes in Detroit

[RandySF]

DETROIT — Tensions among progressives over the Israel-Hamas war turned physical during an event last weekend for U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, highlighting deep divisions that could spell trouble for Democrats come fall.

A group of 20 to 30 pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted a Dec. 16 private holiday party of around 200 hosted by the 13th Congressional District Democratic Party. Demonstrators with the Palestinian Youth Movement and Party for Socialism and Liberation entered the event at Townhouse Detroit and confronted Thanedar, D-Detroit, over his support for Israel.

A Democratic activist, Bobbie Johnson of Detroit, was hospitalized and suffered two black eyes during the fracas, and videos posted to social media depicted a brawl that started when party attendees tried to remove protesters who were chanting and pounding on windows.

As pro-Palestinian demonstrations become more vocal and persistent, the issue has Democrats in a tight spot. Michigan is home to 90,000 Jewish residents and more than 300,000 residents of Middle Eastern descent.



https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/democrats-rift-over-israel-turns-physical-leading-black-eyes-detroit

[Cha]

1. Yeah Yeah... Fuck the Violent Protesters.. they're not helping

Anything.

I can't imagine their violence is going to change any minds at the Private Christmas Party.

ETA.. They don't want peace.. they want more violence like HAMAS.

[Mountainguy]

2. Attack people minding their own business

and then cry when there is a response.

Right out of the Hamas handbook.

Also, I notice that none of these protests are popping up against Republicans. Smells like some Russian influence there too.

[Cha]

4. Yes it does smell like Russia now that

you've mentioned it.

[dalton99a]

5. +1

[Igel]

10. Sounds like the tactics used with RW speakers on campus.

And the occasional miscreant professor that causes offense. The idea is to shut things down and be small-scale coercive and intimidating. It's a staple with some groups on some campuses.

The Russian influence goes back to the '50s and '60s when the USSR had "scientific anti-Zionism" as a PhD program at some schools and extended that to "liberation" universities like Patrice Lumumba and a lot of fellow travelers picked it up in the west.

Note that the "chanting and pounding on windows" brings to mind a school board meeting a year or two ago. Same tactics, same kind of goal--make a point, be inconvenient, BAMN.

[czarjak]

3. All in the name of religion.

On all sides too!

[Cha]

6. Yeah, I'm what is called an

Infidel.

[Igel]

11. Not if religion requires a supernatural deity.

The would-be occupiers probably aren't strong believers in anything not secular. As for whether a religion requires a deity to be front a center I leave as an open question.

[stopdiggin]

7. If you are supporting this type of action

I'm questioning whether you're a really a prospective Democratic vote.

(let me hasten to add that I think there is plenty of legitimate disagreement, and a certain amount of dismay ... but read again, 'supporting this type of action' .. )

[LeftInTX]

8. Oh jeez...Here is what one of the protesters said about some of the Black people who support Rep Thanedar & Gov Whitmer

“They are bourgeoisie people who are complete traitors to the working class and the majority of Black people who are struggling. They don’t represent the majority of Black people in Detroit, they represent the system we’re fighting against.”

The person who said this writes for the Communist Party USA...LOL https://cpusa.org/article/freeing-our-organizations-from-the-culture-of-oppression-requires-vigilance/ I was recently asked how I became a Marxist-Leninist

[David__77]

13. Sounds like she will be voting for Biden.

That organization endorsed him in 2020 and will almost certainly do so in 2024.

[JI7]

9. I consider these to be deplorable along with other trash like MAGA .

[LetMyPeopleVote]

12. Beating up old Black women will not achieve peace in the Middle East.

Link to tweet