Graffiti on Kent Dems building calls for ‘ceasefire’
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Graffiti with a message apparently opposing Israel’s offensive in Gaza was painted on the Kent County Democrats headquarters in Grand Rapids.
The graffiti seen on the building on Fuller Avenue NE south of Michigan Street Tuesday read, “Ceasefire now!”
The message was painted over later Tuesday.
The graffiti was an apparent reference to Israeli military action in Gaza. Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people when it attacked Israel on Oct. 7. Israel retaliated in force, which Hamas’ health ministry says led to the death of about 28,000 people, the Associated Press reports.
On Tuesday evening, Kent County Democratic Party Chair Kim Gates provided the following statement about the graffiti to News 8:
“The Kent County Democratic Party honors and values freedom of speech and recognizes the right we all have under the First Amendment to do so. As a big tent party, we have many voices and opinions from a diverse and inclusive membership. We never condone acts of violence or destruction of property as methods of expression. Personally speaking, the loss of life and destruction of homes and infrastructure in Gaza is tragic. When it comes to Gaza, the Kent County Democratic Party does not have any influence on the Biden administration and the decisions it makes.”
Kim Gates, Kent County Democratic Party chair
President Joe Biden has publicly supported Israel, a key U.S. ally in the Middle East. But that is causing strife among Arab-Americans and Muslims, who emphasize the loss of life among Palestinians. Last week, Biden sent aides to speak with leaders from those demographics in metro Detroit in attempt to shore up their support of his campaign.
Michigan will again be a key battleground in the November presidential election. Biden won it in 2020 as part of his path to the White House, and the same was true for former President Donald Trump in 2016.
Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to visit Grand Rapids next week as part of her “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” tour.
Trump will hold a campaign rally in southeastern Michigan on Saturday, the same day early voting begins for Michigan’s Feb. 27 presidential primary.
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