Anti-Israel DNC protesters plan to demonstrate despite Biden stepping down

Anti-Israel protesters planning on marching at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month are moving ahead with their demonstrations despite President Joe Biden dropping his reelection bid.

Biden announced he would drop out of the 2024 presidential race Sunday and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. The group, March on the DNC 2024, issued a statement concerning the Sunday announcement from Biden, claiming the policy of the Democratic Party with regard to the war in Gaza supports “genocide.”

“Genocide Joe Biden has stepped down from running for President as the Democratic Party nominee. His decision doesn’t change the policies of Democratic Party leadership, specifically their support of the genocide in Palestine, so our movement must continue to apply pressure,” the statement said. “On August 19th, we will march on the DNC for Gaza regardless of who gets nominated for the presidency.”

Most Democrats have been largely supportive of Israel’s war against Hamas in response to attacks against the Jewish State on Oct. 7, 2023, but a faction of the party has criticized Israel, condemning its actions against Hamas terrorists and the effect the war has had in Gaza.

On Monday evening, Harris secured enough support from Democratic Party delegates to become the nominee after it appeared likely she would get the nod with the support from key Democratic officials she had garnered.

The group addressed the vice president directly in the statement issued prior to Harris unofficially securing the nomination.

“When it comes to the genocide in Gaza, there is no difference between Biden, Harris, or any of the likely candidates for the nomination. They are all complicit. This is why the coalition will still be marching on the DNC in the tens of thousands,” the statement said. “We plan to have the largest march for Palestinian rights in Chicago’s history as we demand an end to the genocide and an end to US aid to Israel.”

The planned protests at the DNC are bringing back memories of the 1968 DNC, also hosted in Chicago, where mass protests about the Vietnam War dominated headlines.

Similar to that year’s convention, the incumbent president will not be seeking a second term, and the vice president is set to take the party’s nomination.