Disunity at the Democratic National Convention over Gaza

The MoJo Daily newsletter, Monday through Friday. [View in browser]( [Support our nonprofit journalism]( [Mother Jones Daily Newsletter](     August 19, 2024 Happy first day of the DNC. I would not have believed you if a couple months ago you told me that Vice President Kamala Harris would be the soon-to-be-official nominee. But here we are. Democrats are planning to use the week's events to cast themselves as the stark contrast to former President Donald Trump's Republican Party. "While Donald Trump puts himself first," began the DNC memo outlining tonight's events, "Democrats are fighting for the American people." But Democrats are not necessarily united: As my colleagues Sophie Hurwitz and Noah Lanard [wrote](, there are [30 Uncommitted delegates]( in Chicago this week who are demanding a permanent ceasefire in Israel's war in Gaza and an arms embargo against Israel. “Unity is great,” said Uncommitted organizer Natalia Latif. “But that unity can’t come at the cost of Palestinian lives.” Already, they seem to be gaining traction: Sophie [reports]( that almost 200 Harris-pledged delegates have joined the Uncommitted delegates in calling for an arms embargo. Those calling for an end to the war inside the convention hall will have some support outside, too: An antiwar protest is underway outside the convention this afternoon, Sophie and Noah report. Tonight's schedule, which kicks off at 5:15 CT, includes remarks by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.); former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; and the first lady and the president, Jill and Joe Biden. Mother Jones has a team of reporters on the ground who will be bringing you content from the DNC all week. So make sure to follow our work [on our website]( and on social media (that's [Instagram](, [X](, [Facebook](, [Threads](, and [TikTok](). —Julianne McShane P.S. This [weekend's episode of the Reveal podcast]( is the third installment in the series about the government's response to the pandemic, and looks at the myth of Covid-19 as "the great equalizer." (And, reminder: [Covid is still out there, and spreading](.) Make sure to [listen wherever you get your podcasts](. Advertisement [Bring My Song to Life]( [Top Story] [Top Story]( [Here’s How the Uncommitted Movement Will Push at the DNC]( Members will advocate for an arms embargo, asking fellow attendees to sign a pledge and declare themselves "ceasefire delegates." BY SOPHIE HURWITZ AND NOAH LANARD MOTHER JONES MEMBERSHIP UPDATE   A QUICK FAVOR We need to raise $163,000 in [online donations]( before the month ends and the election gets even louder after Labor Day. You know what’s at stake. And you know that Mother Jones is up for the hard, consequential work ahead. [Please help with a donation of any amount if you can right now](. And know that we’re grateful. [Donate]( [Trending] [Abortion is coming to the DNC and the right is freaking out]( BY JULIANNE MCSHANE   [Kamala Harris is making the presidential race competitive again]( BY ISABELA DIAS   [The new face of climate activism wields a pickaxe]( BY MORGAN MEAKER   [Migrant Encounters at the Border Hit Lowest Number in Four Years]( BY ISABELA DIAS Advertisement [Bring My Song to Life]( [Special Feature] [Special Feature]( [Chicago’s mayor owes his career to activism. How will he handle demonstrators at the DNC?]( Tens of thousands of protesters are expected at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Mayor Brandon Johnson used to be one. BY ABBY VESOULIS Did you enjoy this newsletter? Help us out by [forwarding]( it to a friend or sharing it on [Facebook]( and [Twitter](. [Mother Jones]( [Donate]( [Donate Monthly]( [Subscribe]( This message was sent to {EMAIL}. To change the messages you receive from us, you can [edit your email preferences]( or [unsubscribe from all mailings.]( For advertising opportunities see our online [media kit.]( Were you forwarded this email? [Sign up for Mother Jones' newsletters today.]( [www.MotherJones.com]( PO Box 8539, Big Sandy, TX 75755