HARRISBURG (TNS) — A left-wing Democratic group in Florida is demanding that the state party there cancel U.S. Sen. John Fetterman’s appearance at an event this weekend over his “divisive rhetoric and abandonment of progressive values,” citing his unapologetic pro-Israel stance.
On Wednesday, the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida (DPCF) asked the state party to rescind the invitation to Fetterman to speak at the party’s Leadership Blue conference in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., according to a statement shared on X/Twitter by a reporter from thebulwark.com.
“John Fetterman, once touted as a progressive champion, has betrayed the trust of his constituents by swiftly pivoting away from the platform he was elected on,” the DPCF said in a statement. “His recent statement and actions, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stand in stark contrast to the value of equality, justice, and peace that his supporters stand for.”
Additionally, the DPCF said it opposes the “erasure of marginalized voices” and “amplifying voices that cater to Republican interests.”
Later in the statement, a DPCF chapter president said they cannot support a Democratic Party that “promotes the use of our tax and federal dollars for genocide, eternal wars, authoritarianism and domestic tyranny.”
Fetterman responded with a statement to PennLive that focused on the presidential race.
“First, I want to salute the hard work of the Florida Dems,” said Fetterman. “I fully embrace a diversity of views within the Democratic Party but we’re six months out from Election Day and must be united on re-electing Joe Biden. The stakes are too high. Just this week in Florida, an abortion ban went into effect. We can’t let these disagreements lead to a second Trump term.”
The DPCF claimed that Fetterman’s “unwavering support for Israel’s actions” ignores the majority of Americans who support a “ceasefire and equality” for Israelis and Palestinians.
Fetterman has angered many on the far left with his steadfast support for Israel, which continues to wage a military operation in Gaza after the terrorist group Hamas, based in Gaza, launched an attack on Israeli civilians on Oct. 7.
Gazan authorities say that more than 34,500 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 78,000 wounded by Israel following the Hamas attack, according to Reuters.
Nadia Ahmad — identified in the DPCF statement as a Democratic National Committee member, co-chair of the DNC Interfaith Council, co-founder of the Muslim Delegates and Allies Coalition and co-founder of Ceasefire 2024 — said in the DPCF statement that Fetterman “is on the wrong side of history.”
