Pro-Hamas Protesters Disrupt Michigan Democrats’ Christmas Party, Sparking Melee

Pro-Hamas Protesters Disrupt Michigan Democrats’ Christmas Party, Sparking Melee

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a shocking turn of events, a Christmas party organized by Michigan Democrats descended into chaos as pro-Hamas demonstrators stormed the event, leading to a violent confrontation that resulted in injuries and hospitalization, as was reported by the New York Post. The demonstrators, numbering between 20 to 30, targeted the gathering to express their grievances against Rep. Shri Thanedar for his perceived support of Israel.

Pro-Palestinian Agitators Crash Democrat Christmas Party

The event, which featured Rep. Shri Thanedar , turned into an angry shoving match when about 20 protesters started chanting and disrupting the event. #protesters
Video Credit: Wyron Matkinshttps://t.co/yO5wZ1L0Fl pic.twitter.com/H6rlpCorv4

— Michigan News Source (@MINewsSource) December 20, 2023

The holiday party, hosted by the 13th Congressional District Democratic Party and attended by around 200 people, was disrupted by activists affiliated with the Palestinian Youth Movement and the Party for Socialism and Liberation, according to the report in the Post. Their primary aim was to confront Rep. Thanedar, who had recently severed ties with the Democratic Socialists of America over their endorsement of what he deemed a “hate-filled and anti-Semitic” Times Square rally, as was noted in the Post report.

And here you have it. The “Pro-Palestinian” aka pro-Hamas Islamist mob, violently attacking innocent people at a holiday party.

In an effort to intimidate Congressman Shri Thanedar for calling out Hamas, they beat up Democratic Party activists including Bobbie Johnson. She’s… https://t.co/Rr4nIDsYid

— Brooke Goldstein (@GoldsteinBrooke) December 21, 2023

According to reports from Bridge Michigan, the protesters refused polite requests to leave the venue, leading to increased tension among attendees. As was indicated in the Post report, the situation escalated, and eventgoers, angered by the intrusion, forced the demonstrators out of the Detroit bar. The clash took a violent turn, with accusations of physical aggression on both sides.

Partygoer Valeria Berra recounted being shoved against a wall by one of the protesters, describing the act as the initiation of violence. The altercation was captured on video, featuring 91-year-old former Detroit police commissioner Bernice Smith wielding a cane to defend herself and other attendees, according to the Post report. Smith’s sons actively assisted in pushing the protesters out of the venue, citing the need to protect the party’s elderly and disabled participants.

This event has been the tradional time for black democratic community activist to come together in harmony. pic.twitter.com/gmHsdyHkha

— Commissioner Jonathan C. Kinloch (@jkin5022) December 18, 2023

Democratic activist Bobbie Johnson, who attended the party, suffered severe injuries, including two black eyes, the Post reported. In a livestreamed video from the event, Johnson emotionally detailed the attack, alleging that the protesters had physically assaulted her.

In a statement to Bridge Michigan, Johnson expressed disbelief at the protest, emphasizing her involvement in a diverse community and her extensive work within the Muslim community, the Post report said. She clarified that her concerns were not directed at Muslims, highlighting her confusion about why the protest occurred in Detroit.

Jonathan Kinloch, the party chair, denounced the actions of the protesters as riotous and unproductive. The report in the Post said that he acknowledged the divisive nature of the Israel-Hamas conflict within the Democratic Party but emphasized that such confrontations were not the solution.

Despite Kinloch’s characterization of the protesters as disruptive, some demonstrators asserted that the gathering had been peaceful until they were forcibly removed. As was reported by the Post, Sammie Lewis, one of the protesters, claimed that they received no warning before being shoved, insisting that their calls for an end to genocide were met with violence.

In a notable twist, protesters accused Democrats, including those targeted at the Christmas party, of adopting aggressive tactics reminiscent of the “Zionist book, “  the Post report said.Lewis contended that Democrats were assaulting them while portraying themselves as victims, drawing parallels with the tactics employed by Zionists.

The Post report indicated that the Detroit police are actively investigating the incident, but as of Wednesday, no arrests had been made. The representative targeted by the protesters, Rep. Shri Thanedar, had distanced himself from the Democratic Socialists of America following Hamas’ October 7 terror attack. The incident highlighted political contrasts within the Democratic Party, particularly between Thanedar and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a member of the “Squad” representing the adjoining Detroit congressional district, according to the report in the Post. The incident underscores the nationwide party divisions that have come to the forefront in Michigan.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in the House, has been a vocal advocate for the Hamas cause, facing criticism both within and outside her party. Her endorsement of the slogan “From the river to the sea” has been met with accusations of promoting anti-Semitism, with Jewish groups interpreting it as a call for the genocide of Israel, the Post report said. Tlaib has also accused President Biden of supporting the “genocide of the Palestinian people” by aligning with Israel during its conflict with Hamas.

Michigan is home to a significant population of residents of Arab descent. With 300,000 people of Arab descent and approximately 90,000 Jews, these are historically strong Democratic voting blocs, as was noted in the Post report. However, recent developments, especially regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, have strained the party’s unity within the state.

Arab American leaders in Michigan are now leveraging their influence, threatening to withhold support for President Biden in this key battleground state. According to the Post, the Biden administration’s backing of Israel’s war on Hamas has been a major point of contention, leading to a considerable drop in the president’s approval rating among Arab Americans. A poll commissioned by the Arab American Institute in October revealed that Biden’s approval had plummeted from 59% in 2020 to just 17% this year.

The potential withdrawal of support from Arab American voters poses a significant challenge for President Biden in Michigan, a state he won by a narrow margin against Donald Trump in 2020, the Post report said. Recent polling suggests Biden is trailing the leading GOP presidential candidate by an average of 5 percentage points, indicating a notable shift in political dynamics.

The tensions in Michigan are exacerbated by the unique demographics of the state. Bernie Porn, president of the polling firm EPIC-MRA, highlights the toll the Israeli war has taken on Biden’s approval numbers, particularly among Arab Americans. The Post also reported that State Senator Jeremy Moss, who is Jewish, acknowledges the heightened tension in Michigan, emphasizing the need for careful navigation in a metro area where these issues resonate strongly.