A progressive House Democrat, Rep. Adriano Espaillat, has forcefully denounced a violent anti-Israel protest that occurred in his district earlier this week. The demonstration, which targeted a restaurant in Hamilton Heights, involved activists carrying pro-Hamas signs and a picture of the terror group’s former leader who was recently assassinated in Tehran. The protesters reportedly sought to find New York City Mayor Eric Adams and state Gov. Kathy Hochul, who were not present at the event.
Espaillat, a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, expressed his strong support for the right to peaceful protest but condemned the violence and intimidation displayed by the demonstrators. He stated, “What we witnessed last night at the Bird in the Hand restaurant in Hamilton Heights was violence, bullying, and intimidation towards law enforcement officers, residents, restaurant patrons, and innocent bystanders.” He further emphasized that these actions were “cowardly and unacceptable” and expressed solidarity with the restaurant owners and patrons.
The protest unfolded after a campaign event for Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential bid. The situation escalated outside the restaurant when protesters realized that neither Adams nor Hochul was present. They engaged in clashes with police, and smoke bombs were reportedly set off, causing damage to the restaurant’s outdoor dining area and creating fear among patrons.
This incident is just one example of the turmoil that has gripped Democratic Party politics since Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. A growing faction of progressive Democrats has called for the U.S. to reconsider its traditionally strong ties with Israel, particularly in light of Israel’s response to the Hamas attack.
The conflict has also sparked protests across the U.S., including instances where pro-Gaza demonstrators disrupted Democratic events and vandalized congressional offices. These tensions are likely to resurface at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next week, where Harris will formally accept the 2024 presidential nomination.
