SACRAMENTO, California — Two security guards were injured during a pro-Palestinian protest that canceled meetings and events at a California Democratic convention in Sacramento.
California Democratic Party chairman Rusty Hicks acknowledged he was “both deeply saddened and disappointed” by the protests, mostly by non-delegates, encouraging party members to “reconnect with one another” and “embrace our collective cause.”
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“Delegates and participants were temporarily unable to freely move about the Convention Center, two young security agents sustained minor injuries, and attendees — particularly our Jewish delegates and guests were openly intimidated and harassed,” Hicks said Sunday during the 2023 endorsing convention’s last session.
“As part of our decision to reconvene here today, the party has already initiated a thorough investigation of yesterday’s event and will take appropriate action,” he added. “Any delegate who actively participated in or aided in the furtherance of those activities and events in violation of our party’s code of conduct will be held accountable according to the party’s bylaws.”
Hicks underscored that exercising a constitutionally-protected right to free speech and freedom of expression “with violence, intimidation, harassment, or bullying has no place in our party or in our communities.”
“Antisemitism and Islamophobia have no place in our party or in our communities,” he said. “We condemn acts of violence that bring harm to our neighbors and divide us from one another both here at home and abroad.”
The Sacramento Police Department told the Washington Examiner there were about 2,500 protesters at the “peak” of the demonstration.
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“No arrests were made, and there were no reports of vandalism,” SPD’s public information officer said.
Protesters interrupted the convention’s United States Senate candidate forum with Reps. Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, and Barbara Lee (D-CA) on Saturday afternoon, before merging with a separate demonstration down the street. Protesters later returned to the Safe Credit Union Convention Center in the evening and were able to get past security to occupy common spaces and meeting halls, causing organizers to cancel caucus gatherings.
