On Sunday, the Chair of the California Democratic Party, Rusty Hicks, asserted that there would be consequences for members involved in a disruptive pro-Palestinian demonstration the previous night, which resulted in the premature conclusion of meetings.
Hicks stated, “Any delegates who actively participated in or aided the furtherance of those activities or events in violation of our party’s code of conduct will be held accountable.” He delivered this message to party members assembled at a convention in Sacramento.
On Saturday evening, protesters advocating for a cease-fire in Gaza overpowered security guards and surged into the convention center, prompting the Democratic Party to cancel scheduled caucuses. Earlier in the day, the demonstrators disrupted and curtailed a forum intended for U.S. Senate candidates by shouting over the proceedings. the California Democratic
Hicks did not elaborate on potential punishments. The party’s code of conduct says violators can be barred from attending events or stripped of their delegate status.
The chair said he was “deeply saddened and disappointed” by the disruptions, saying two security guards sustained “minor injuries” and that Jewish attendees “were openly intimidated and harassed.”
“Every delegate, volunteer, staff person and attendee has the right to be safe and to feel safe in the peaceful expression of their own voice and viewpoint,” Hicks said.
The conflict in Gaza has loomed over the convention, highlighting a gulf between progressives demanding a cease-fire and pro-Israel Democrats who have stopped short of that position.