In a surprising turn of events, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will not be present at Vice President Kamala Harris' nomination speech at the Democratic National Convention (DNC).
This news comes alongside the revelation that Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) has chosen to forgo the entire DNC event, amid rising concerns over potential large-scale anti-Israel demonstrations.
As reported by The Post Millennial, following Monday night's proceedings, President Biden will depart Chicago for a vacation in Southern California. Consequently, the spotlight of the convention will shift to Vice President Harris for the remainder of the week. While Governor Tim Walz is slated to address the convention on Wednesday, Harris is scheduled to deliver her acceptance speech on Thursday, as reported by the Alabama Reflector.
The Free Press has reported that Sen. Fetterman has decided to abstain from the convention entirely, choosing instead to spend quality time with his children. Fetterman has clarified that his decision to bypass the convention is not influenced by the anticipated protests against Israel. Despite his strong pro-Israel stance throughout his political career, he asserts that his decision was made before the Trump-Biden debate in June.
In the wake of the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, Fetterman expressed his unequivocal support for Israel. He stated, "I forcefully condemn these cowardly, horrifying, unprovoked attacks on Israel by Hamas. Attacking innocent civilians is particularly despicable and reflects the craven behavior of this terrorist group. I unequivocally stand with the people of Israel now, and always.
In his interview with The Free Press, Fetterman expressed his frustration with the growing number of young activists protesting against Israel. He said, Ive been frustrated by some of my members and how theyve chosen to handle that situation." However, he did not elaborate on which Congress members he was referring to.
The DNC is expected to face a significant protest, with an estimated 100,000 activists planning to march on the convention throughout the week. Some protesters arrived as early as Sunday, a day before the official commencement of the event. Amid the escalating tension, some businesses in Chicago have taken precautionary measures, boarding up their establishments in anticipation of potential unrest.
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