Michigan rep quits Democratic Socialists of America over NYC rally

Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) is revoking his membership in the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) over its promotion of what he said was an antisemitic rally in New York City.

“Today, I am officially renouncing my membership in the Democratic Socialists of America. After the brutal terrorist attacks on Israel, which included the indiscriminate murder, rape, and kidnapping of innocent men, women, and children, I can no longer associate with an organization unwilling to call out terrorism in all its forms,” he wrote in a statement Wednesday.

Thanedar, formerly one of the six members of the DSA in Congress, said that a rally in Times Square on Sunday pushed him to make the decision.

The rally, held just one day after Hamas launched its deadly attack on Israel, was also denounced by other lawmakers and officials.

“Sunday’s hate-filled and antisemitic rally in New York City, promoted by the NYC-DSA, makes it impossible for me to continue my affiliation. I stand with Israel and its right to defend itself. There is no place for moral equivocation in the face of unadulterated evil as we have seen from Hamas,” Thanedar added.

The NYC-DSA had reposted a statement on X, the platform previously known as Twitter, promoting rallies against funding for Israel on Saturday, the same day Hamas first infiltrated the nation. 

“Take to the streets to join a protest for peace and against funding the Israeli state. Find out what actions local DSA and YDSA chapters are taking and join in,” the group wrote.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), another member of the DSA, also denounced the rally held in New York City in a statement earlier this week. 

“It should not be hard to shut down hatred and antisemitism where we see it. That is a core tenet of solidarity,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a statement obtained by The Hill.

“The bigotry and callousness expressed in Times Square on Sunday were unacceptable and harmful in this devastating moment. It also did not speak for the thousands of New Yorkers who are capable of rejecting both Hamas’ horrifying attacks against innocent civilians as well as the grave injustices and violence Palestinians face under occupation,” she said.

The NYC-DSA posted a statement Tuesday addressing the criticism in the wake of the rally. 

“On Saturday, in anticipation of escalatory violence to come, we tweeted a promotion of a rally in solidarity with the people of Palestine. We understand why many, including our allies, were shocked by the timing and the tone of this message in a moment of profound fear and grief. We are sorry for the confusion our post caused and for not making our values explicit,” the group wrote.

More than 1,000 Israelis have been killed since Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, launched attacks against Israel over the weekend. Hundreds of Palestinians have also been killed in ensuing fighting in Gaza.