Pro-Palestinian Protests Force California Assembly Adjournment

The California Assembly went into recess and then was abruptly adjourned on Wednesday in Sacramento following a demonstration by a large group of Pro-Palestinian protestors.

Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas War in October, several political and state events have been affected by Palestinian protestors. One such protest event, during the California Democratic Party (CADEM) Convention in November, cancelled an entire nights worth of events because of security concerns. Last month, Governor Gavin Newsom also controversially cancelled the annual Christmas tree lighting in Sacramento because of security concerns from Pro-Palestinian groups.

With the war in Israel continuing into 2024, and expecting to go well into the year to eliminate Hamas completely from the Gaza Strip, protestors ramped up efforts in trying to to have the California legislature support calls for a cease-fire in the war on Wednesday by staging a protest in the Capitol Building. At a little after 1 P.M. protestors streamed into the Capitol Rotunda and proceeded to raise banners calling for a cease-fire, demanding that the U.S. stop funding Israel, and bringing attention to the 30,000 dead in Gaza.

Demonstrators at the CA Capitol have taken over the rotunda, they chant “California lead the way” urging state lawmakers to support a ceasefire in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/Bp6rvpg0jp

— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) January 3, 2024

Protestors also began chanting and giving a demonstration in the Rotunda using poppies to show the number of dead civilians killed since the beginning of the war. When the protestors would not disperse, the Assembly quickly called a recess because of security concerns. This was then upgraded to adjournment. The Senate, meanwhile, was unaffected by the protestors, and followed their own planned early adjournment later in the day.

Reactions in the Assembly varied wildly. Some, like Assemblyman Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles), supported the protestors.

“The demonstration is a powerful showing of civil disobedience,” said Bryan.

Others came out against the protestors. Some Assemblymembers were spurred by a letter from the Legislative Jewish Caucus penned earlier on Wednesday deploring a rise of antisemitism in the Country. Assemblymembers also pointed out that while free speech was a right, that it was going to wrong way about it in shutting down government business.

Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) said in a statement:

“We cannot allow pro-Hamas radicals to continue shouting down government proceedings and bullying people into silence. We must stand up to this extremism. People have a right to protest, but they don’t have the right to prevent elected representatives from doing the people’s business.”

However, many others simply didn’t even want to hear about what it was about.

“There were a few members I was with,” explained Dana, a Capitol staffer. “When we were heading out, another staffer had asked if they wanted to know what the protestors were doing, and he immediately said no and that this wasn’t the best way ‘to get our attention.’ By the way, they’re a Democrat.”

“I think the protestors were trying to draw attention and move them, but instead they just made a lot of them mad for delaying everything. If anything, this only steeled their resolve in supporting Israel. This was not the way to do this. They have a right to protest, but it doesn’t mean that anyone has to listen to them.”

“If anything, this is just going to make lawmakers more weary of these kinds of protests. Pro-Israel groups have been passionate in their support for freeing hostages and removing Hamas without resorting to these mass protests. But Pro-Palestinian groups keep launching protests. They blocked the Bay Bridge in San Francisco in November for example. That never wins anyone over, and for most Assemblymembers I saw today, it didn’t win them over. Again it just furthered their resolve.

“The protestors will get a few articles about the protest in print and internet outlets, with many not being positive. And their protest will get like a ten second snippet on the news. That isn’t a success. I will say at least they were peaceful, but that’s really as far as it goes.”

Other protests are likely to come in the coming weeks and months as the war in Israel continues.

Pro-Hamas/Palestine protesters filled the Assembly gallery today demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. Forced lawmakers to adjourn on the first session of the new year.

Capitol and Assembly leadership – should have shut this down ASAP. 🤦‍♀️ https://t.co/XN4iqcl3HP

— Katy Grimes (@KATYSaccitizen) January 4, 2024