A progressive House Democrat is denounceing the violent anti-Israel protests that erupted in his district earlier this week.
“I firmly believe in the fundamental right to peacefully protest, but what I witnessed last night at Bird in the Hand restaurant in Hamilton Heights was violence, bullying and intimidation against police officers, residents, restaurant patrons and innocent bystanders,” Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-New York, said in a statement Thursday night.
On Tuesday night, activists carrying pro-Hamas placards and a photo of the terrorist group’s former leader, who was recently assassinated in Tehran, reportedly stormed into an Upper Manhattan restaurant. Fox 5 New York.
Anti-Israel protesters clash with police, fire smoke bombs after Harris rally
Rep. Adriano Espaillat condemned the violent protests that erupted in his district earlier this week when anti-Israel demonstrators clashed with police outside a Hamilton Heights restaurant. (Getty Images/Freedom TV)
The group was reportedly looking for New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York State Governor Kathy Haukl, but they were not at the scene.
“The violent protesters caused thousands of dollars in damage to the venue’s outdoor dining area, set off fire alarms and terrorized patrons,” Espaillat said.
“These violent threats are cowardly and unacceptable. We stand in solidarity with restaurant owners and customers in opposing this behavior, which will never be tolerated in a city as beautiful and diverse as ours.”
Elected in 2016, Espaillat is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and holds a small leadership role as the House Democratic Caucus leader.
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Protesters set off smoke bombs outside the restaurant. (Freedom TV)
Video obtained by Fox 5 New York showed activists gathering at a restaurant in the Espaillat neighborhood following a 2024 presidential campaign event for Vice President Kamala Harris.
The situation escalated when protesters realized neither Adams nor Hokele were outside the store, and activists clashed with police, who reportedly fired smoke bombs.
Tuesday night’s unrest was just the latest in the turmoil that has rocked Democratic politics since Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
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Protesters were reportedly looking for New York Governor Kathy Hauckle and New York City Mayor Eric Adams. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)
There is a growing movement among progressive Democrats to soften the United States’ traditionally close ties with Israel, particularly in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks that led to Israel’s invasion of Gaza.
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The conflict has sparked protests across the United States, with several high-profile incidents in which pro-Gaza demonstrators disrupted Democratic events and vandalized Democratic congressional offices.
Those tensions are likely to surface again next week in Chicago, where Harris is scheduled to formally announce her 2024 presidential candidacy at the Democratic National Convention.
