By DAVID LEE
GREENPORT–Governor Kathy Hochul was in Hudson on Sunday, to rally the party faithful at the Columbia County Democrats fundraising event in the community room at the Falls at 158 Union Turnpike.
Billed as the Blue Wave Brunch, the event featured speakers New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-106th), state Senator Michelle Hinchey (D-41st), actor Stephen Lang of Kinderhook, and Josh Riley who is running for the 19th Congressional District currently held by Republican Marcus Molinaro
Outside on the street, a group of about 35 demonstrators assembled to protest both the policies of the Hochul administration regarding Israel’s war in Gaza and candidate Josh Riley’s statements regarding the same.
According to protest organizer Jim McCabe, a group called Columbia County for Palestine was joined by members of Upper Hudson Code Pink to hold signs, chant and parade.
The list of demands handed out to the press called for a halt to all U.S. funding of weapons to Israel, a resumption of funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and immediate and permanent cease fire in Gaza, an end to military occupation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, a release of all hostages by Israel as well as Hamas and to hold Israel accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including abuse and torture in prisons.
The paper faults Governor Hochul for stifling the Boycott Divest and Sanctions movement that has worked to stop investment in Israel. It calls for rescinding Executive Order 157 which directs state agencies and authorities to divest public funds supporting BDS campaigns against Israel.
On October 13, 2023, the New York State Common Retirement Fund purchased an additional $20 million in Israel bonds offered by Development Corporation for Israel. The paper calls for Governor Hochul to “order the Comptroller to divulge all New York State investments in Israel and divest from those investments.”
Inside the banquet room, there was no acknowledgment of the protest beyond the recognition of the American right to freedom of speech. Speaking after the meeting, Columbia County Democratic Committee Chairman Sam Hodge said, “This was an incredible event. We had 230 Democrats, excited motivated and ready to win in November.”
“The speakers were great; Governor Hochul brought the house down and Josh Riley reminded us why it’s so important that we vote for him and flip control of the house and Michele Hinchey did a great job providing a contrast between what Republicans do and what Democrats get done,” he said.
Asked about the protest outside, Mr. Hodge said, “Free speech is great and people have a right to protest.”
Asked whether he thought this situation could cut into Democrats’ support, he said, “I have a lot of faith in Joe Biden’s leadership and his ability to navigate what of course is a very difficult situation.
“Secretary of State [Antony] Blinken is working tirelessly to secure a ceasefire and release of hostages and I am confident they are going to get it done and ultimately this is a decision between tyranny and democracy— Trump or Biden, and America is going to choose President Biden.”
Regarding divestiture Mr. Hodge declined to comment until he’d been able to examine the specific demands.“I think every speaker spoke about the importance of protecting democracies around the world and that’s the aim of the United States Government,” Mr. Hodge said.
In a statement to The Columbia Paper, Josh Riley said, “After October 7 I said and I believe that Israel has a right to defend itself. Hamas is a barbaric terrorist organization and it needs to be eliminated. At the same time, I have serious concerns about the way this war has unfolded and support an immediate ceasefire to get our hostages out, get humanitarian assistance in, and to get us back on a path to a two-state solution where the Israeli and Palestinian people can live in peace, side by side.”
