Protesters against U.S. military funding for Israel disrupt policy summit in Sacramento, target Sen. Alex Padilla
Protesters who want the United States to stop providing military aid to Israel gathered at the Kimpton Sawyer hotel in downtown Sacramento Wednesday and blocked entrances to Politico's policy summit.The protest coincided with Gov. Gavin Newsom's speaking portion, where the governor criticized President Donald Trump for about 50 minutes.Witnesses told KCRA 3's Ashley Zavala that the group waited in the lobby before removing jackets and unfurling banners. They chanted throughout Newsom's speech. The protest was organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, which said about 100 of its members were involved. The demonstrators urged California leaders to free Palestine. They were primarily targeting U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, who had spoken and left hours before the protest began. The group said that more than 250 of its members also held sit-ins in the lobby of Padilla's San Francisco office and 150 of them were arrested. Fifty-more protesters rallied at his office in downtown San Diego. Protesters also targeted Sen. Adam Schiff's Los Angeles office. Padilla and Schiff were targeted due to their recent votes against a resolution that would have blocked U.S. weapons from going to Israel in its conflict with Hamas in Gaza. More than 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage by Hamas militants during its surprise cross-border attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. At least 62,622 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict with Israel that followed. More than 150 hostages have been returned or rescued alive, while dozens have been killed. About 50 hostages remain with about 20 of them believed to still be alive, according to The Associated Press. Israel's defense minister recently said that its military could destroy Gaza City in a new operation, while aid groups have warned that months of Israeli restrictions on food and medical supplies are causing starvation in Gaza. The world's leading authority on food crises has said famine is happening in Gaza City."Growing up Jewish taught me that we are commanded to pursue peace and justice -- and that the hungry must be fed," David Mandel, a member of JVP Sacramento, said in a statement on Wednesday. "We're fed up with politicians who bemoan the massacres and starvation but keep voting to send arms to the perpetrator of genocide. We are Jewish Californians here to hold our Senators responsible. If 'Never Again' means anything, it means for Palestinians right now."Padilla spent the day in Sacramento not only for the summit but also hosting a roundtable discussion on immigration issues and the Trump administration. Rumors have circulated about Padilla possibly running for governor, which he addressed during the event."Okay, now there's the governor's race next year," Padilla said. "But I'll tell you what's happening this year, this November, a very important, consequential special election. We have to approve Proposition 50, have these new maps in place for the next couple of cycles because the stakes are too high." When asked about his potential gubernatorial run, Padilla said, "I'm focused on this November."Padilla is set to return to Washington, D.C., where discussions on the war in Gaza will continue.--The Associated Press contributed to this story.
