A Campaign of Joy Alongside the Horrors of Genocide

MaIllwaukee —Fans spilled out of the Fiserv Forum last night as if they were leaving a sports game. In some ways, they were. Except their opponent was there four weeks earlier. That opponent, of course, was Donald Trump, who had arrived at Fiserv to attend the Republican National Convention in July, just days after he was shot.

On Tuesday night, the arena was filled with chants, cheers and merchandise in support of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, who appeared onstage at the party’s convention in Milwaukee, just 100 miles to the south.

Wearing Marquette University coach Al Maguire’s retired jersey number, 77, Harris reminded rally-goers that there were only 77 days until the election and that Trump was coming for their freedom. Boos filled the arena every time Trump’s name was mentioned. The energy at the rally was generally positive and palpable. But there were still murmurs of dissent audible.

Harris first addressed a livestream audience at the Democratic National Convention, where delegates had just reaffirmed her nomination in a roll call that featured a DJ in a blue silk suit and Lil Jon yelling, “We’re not turning back!” Then she turned to the crowd in Milwaukee. As she did, a line of participants holding banners protesting the genocide in Gaza began yelling, “We’re not turning back!” They were quickly ushered out, as were the protesters (Including Representative Harris) Inside the DNC These were made during Biden’s farewell speech on Monday.

And on Monday afternoon, thousands took to the streets, not only calling for a ceasefire and arms embargo, but also seeking to connect Gaza’s suffering to countless other struggles. A coalition of more than 270 groups, escorted by police and motorbikes, marched near the DNC site. Breaking through the security perimeterThey were escorted away by police in riot gear. Another protest is planned for the final day of the Democratic National Convention.

There were also attempts to listen to, or, more cynically, appease, the opposition. The neutral movement, which garnered 700,000 votes in the Democratic primary and sent dozens of delegates to Chicago, was led by Doctors Without Borders pediatrician The Nation She will be speaking at the Democratic National Convention in May. She joined a panel on Monday to describe the horrors she witnessed, Access to the main stage The delegation also: Meeting Harris in person—Unmet demands.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (her team has one less original member) Thank you to AIPAC–Harris on Monday Work without rest On the same day, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Israel was Accepted the deal as a last resortNever mind that the US had the sole veto power. Previous UN ceasefire proposals Or Hamas The newly watered-down agreement Or Israel They bombed another school. The next morning in Gaza. Last night, Senator Bernie Sanders also drew thunderous applause when he took to the stage to call for an end to a “horrific war.”

Yet while the party strives to portray itself as a truly national party, many are critical of its tendency to “unite under the banner of silence”. Natasha Leonardon “the most pressing moral issue of our time.” Democratic officials oftenEmpty words.”

Harris has made it a point to campaign on joy, especially since Walz joined the candidacy. That was evident ahead of Tuesday’s rally. In the courtyard outside the arena, children played tag under a “Freedom” sign, and vendors offered Harris and Walz camouflage hats to visitors “in place of those ugly red hats.” But the joy and euphoria stand in stark contrast to the scale of the suffering in Gaza and the protests that have been so prominent so far this week.