Over a hundred Washington delegates attended the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week, which culminated with a speech from Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday night accepting the party’s presidential nomination. Harris’ candidacy has galvanized the party following President Joe Biden stepping aside in the race a little over a month ago, leaving her as Democrats’ standard-bearer against Republican nominee Donald Trump. “Our nation, with this election, has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past,” she said in her speech.
“I know there are people of various political views watching tonight and I want you to know: I promise to be a president for all Americans,” Harris said. While the four-day convention was a celebratory affair for the party, the experience was different for delegates who were there on behalf of those who voted “uncommitted” to protest American support of Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians. The Uncommitted Movement, which is calling for a ceasefire and an end to U.
S. weapons transfers to Israel, started a sit-in outside the convention floor after the national Democratic Party denied the uncommitted movement’s weeks-long request to allow a Palestinian or a doctor who volunteered in Gaza to speak on the main stage of the arena . The Standard spoke to four Washington delegates about their experiences at t.