Democratic Socialists of America – which is backed by members of the so-called “Squad” – is holding a rally in support of the Palestinian cause on Sunday afternoon.
Democratic Socialists of America is the self-described “largest socialist organization in the United States with over 90,000 members” with a mission of “building working class power to challenge the dominance of the wealthy and the powerful in the five boroughs.”
Following the deadly surprise attack on Israel by Hamas militants that took the lives of more than 600 Israeli soldiers and citizens, Democratic Socialists of America announced that it was hosting a pro-“Palestine” rally at 1 p.m. in New York City’s Times Square.
The DSA said, “In solidarity with the Palestinian people and their right to resist 75 years of occupation and apartheid FREE PALESTINE!”
Democratic Socialists of America urged demonstrators to take “protest safety” seriously because “police repression is no joke.” It urged socialist protesters to not go out alone, “make sure someone knows where you are,” and to give someone “your legal info in case you’re arrested.”
In another tweet, DSA blamed Israel for the worst single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.
“DSA is steadfast in expressing our solidarity with Palestine,” the socialist organization wrote. “Today’s events are a direct result of Israel’s apartheid regime — a regime that receives billions in funding from the United States.”
“End the violence. End the Occupation. Free Palestine,” the group declared.
“We unequivocally condemn the killing of all civilians. It is imperative for international human rights law to be respected,” DSA said, before condemning Israel, “But we cannot forget that the Israeli state has systematically denied Palestinians the right to self-determination for decades.”
“This was not unprovoked,” Democratic Socialists of America asserted. “For over 60 years, Palestinians have faced ethnic cleansing, torture, bombings, and housing demolitions. Gaza is still under a blockade. As socialists, we must act.”
There are six progressive U.S. House of Representatives who support Democratic Socialists of America. Members of The Squad who belong to the DSA include Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), and Greg Casar (D-Texas).
Following the unprecedented attacks on Israel by Hamas that included taking women and children as hostages and parading victims’ bodies through the street, members of The Squad issued statements ordering Israel not to retaliate. The Democratic representatives all had a nearly identical message, calling for an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation.
AOC said in a statement:
Today is devastating for all those seeking a lasting peace and respect for human rights in Israel and Palestine. I condemn Hamas’ attack in the strongest possible terms. No child and family should ever endure this kind of violence and fear, and this violence will not solve the ongoing oppression and occupation in the region,” Ocasio-Cortez continued. An immediate ceasefire and de-escalation is urgently needed to save lives.
Omar said:
I condemn the horrific acts we are seeing unfold today in Israel against children, women, the elderly, and the unarmed people who are being slaughtered and taken hostage by Hamas. Such senseless violence will only repeat the back and forth cycle we’ve seen, which we cannot allow to continue. We need to call for deescalation and ceasefire. I will keep advocating for peace and justice throughout the Middle East.
Bush stated:
I am heartbroken by the ongoing violence in Palestine and Israel, and I mourn the over 250 Israeli and 230 Palestinian lives that have been lost today, and the thousands injured, following attacks by Hamas militants on Israeli border towns and Israeli military bombardment of Gaza. I strongly condemn the targeting of civilians and I urge an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation to prevent further loss of life.
Cesar said:
I unequivocally condemn the killings & kidnappings by Hamas, & I mourn the deaths of innocent Israeli & Palestinian civilians. We must de-escalate this before the cycle of violence worsens further – and work toward a lasting peace without terrorist attacks, occupation, & war. In the coming days, we urge for all hostages to be released and for all civilians to be protected.
Massachusetts Democrat Rep. Ayanna Pressley added:
These devastating attacks on Israelis are deeply alarming and my heart breaks for the victims & their loved ones. We need an immediate ceasefire & de-escalation. It is long past time to stop this cycle of violence & trauma, and work toward a just & lasting peace in the region.
At the time of publication, Tlaib had not issued a statement on the deadly Hamas invasion of Israel.
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