(RightIsRight.co) – Growing tensions on college campuses by anti-Israel protesters are causing concern among Senate Democrats who fear these conflicts might disrupt their party’s presidential nominating convention in late August.
The arrest of over 100 protesters at Columbia University, including Representative Ilhan Omar’s (D-MN) daughter, has particularly heightened these worries due to the potential chaos in Chicago like other past disturbances.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Democratic senator said he feared the potential repercussions if the situation in Gaza does not improve.
“I think if the situation doesn’t change dramatically in Gaza, yeah, I think it could be bad,” the senator said. “Are you going to the convention? Wear your body armor.”
This year’s concerns bring to mind memories of the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago, which saw violent encounters between police and anti-Vietnam War protesters.
Senator Peter Welch (D-VT), who was present at the ’68 convention as a protester, said he was concerned that this year’s convention might be overshadowed by protests like it happened five decades ago.
“I was there among those who were against the Vietnam War. The demonstrations hurt more than helped, but on the other hand, it’s hard to stop folks who have passionate views about a war. So yes, I do worry,” he stated.
Welch, who opposed a recent $95 billion emergency foreign aid package for including military aid to Israel, reflected on the potential for violence, remarking, “I certainly hope not, that would be terrible.”
Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (IL) also recognized the potential for protests and noted the already major demonstrations at colleges and cities nationwide.
“Of course there will be protests,” Durbin said. “They’ve been pretty significant up to this point. I hope we can manage it. We want to protect our Constitution and also protect all the conventioneers and people in the city.”
Demonstrations have not been limited to public spaces: protesters have also targeted political events and even lawmakers’ homes to criticize U.S. military aid to Israel.
Rutgers University political science professor Ross K. Baker summed up Democrats’ fears.
He noted these divisions had the potential to impact Joe Biden’s reelection campaign negatively like how the anti-war movement affected the 1968 presidential race.
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