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Kamala Harris rally falls into chaos when anti-Israel protesters infiltrate event, tussle with cops

August 15, 2024 | | Print Article

In what could be a preview of next week’s Democratic National Convention, a mob of anti-Israel protesters descended on a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris in New York and chaos erupted.

In an afterparty event, the protesters caused several thousand dollars worth of damage as well. The rally took place in Harlem where Mayor Eric Adams voiced his full support of Harris, but it was marred by antisemitic thugs bent on demanding that all aid to Israel be stopped. The protesters were ejected from the event but it didn’t stop them from causing mayhem.

“Make sure you vote,” Hizzoner chanted over and over again as the protesters were literally dragged out of the event in Upper Manhattan. Adams was joined by Gov. Kathy Hochul and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams.

“Everyone that’s on this stage right now comes from different political spectrum, we don’t always agree on the same thing,” the mayor proclaimed. “But the ability to know when you are in a real fight … this is the real fight.”

(Video Credit: Fox 5 New York)

Neither Harris nor Walz attended the disorganized rally which proceeded to turn ugly in front of a restaurant where up to 25 attendees were gathered after the speeches. If it got that bad at a small event, the convention could be a real humdinger next week.

“The angry mob of around 50 protesters even stormed into the restaurant Bird in Hand at Broadway and West 146th Street as stunned patrons looked on, according to footage from the scene,” the New York Post reported.

“Other videos showed cops taking rabble-rousers into custody as a crowd circled the police. Whistles and horns sounded, and smoke bombs were also set off during the brouhaha. One protester appeared to try to swipe at cops with a cardboard sign, leading several officers to grab the demonstrator and arrest her on the sidewalk, more footage showed,” the media outlet added.

It escalated from there as the pro-Hamas crowd worked themselves up into a lather.

“At another point, authorities chased after another on Broadway during a brief encounter. ‘Free Gaza’ was also graffitied on a police car, and an anti-Israel poster with the words ‘No Votes For Bombala’s Genocide’ was briefly plastered on a restaurant window,” the New York Post wrote. “At least 14 people were taken into custody, according to police.”

The owner of the restaurant estimated the damage to his venue’s outdoor seating area at a minimum of a few thousand dollars. He hasn’t had a chance to fully assess the damage yet.

“It’s my flowers that took the worst of this beating,” Bird in Hand owner Brian Felicetta told the New York Post.

“He said a handful of people from the community swung by for an informal dinner after the rally and he suspects some protesters followed the group to the restaurant. He credited police for their quick action — and his staff for handling the situation appropriately,” the outlet noted.

The owner was beside himself after the mob descended on his business.

“Nothing really came of it besides us, a small business, mom-and-pop business in New York, I’m gonna be the one waking up in the morning fixing all this,” he stated. “Myself and my (business) partner were both born-and-bred New Yorkers, we’re for everybody, so I don’t know what the target or intention was based around this, but it makes no sense to me.”

The Democratic National Convention kicks off on Monday. Hochul and other New York officials will be in attendance.

And from the looks of this, large numbers of protesters will be there to greet them.

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