Over the past five weeks, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has sparked vigils, sit-ins, walkouts, protests and counter-protests at college campuses throughout California. At some campuses, emotions are high and students are divided — some even experiencing violence, hate speech and fear. Meanwhile, at other campuses, students are gathering to grieve and learn in more peaceful ways.

At CalMatters, student reporters in the College Journalism Network fellowship program have filed the following dispatches about the climates at their campuses.

Cal State Long Beach

The slow and repeated sound of a stick hitting a plastic paint-bucket-turned-drum and a voice over a megaphone leading chants in support of Palestine while voices chanted back, engulfed the pathway from Cal State Long Beach’s upper campus to the ‘Go Beach’ sign on Oct. 10. Over 50 protestors holding Palestinian flags and signs gathered at the monument just three days after the Hamas attack on Israel that resulted in 1,200 dead and about 240 taken hostage.

The protest began shortly after university president Jane Close Conoley described the event, along with social media posts, as “deeply offensive in light of the loss of life and unspeakable violence during this conflict“ via an email sent to the entire student body. There have since been several demonstrations from pro-Palestinian and Jewish groups including another pro-Palestine rally on Oct. 25 followed by a vigil for the lives that have been lost in Gaza, and the most recent walkout led by the CSULB chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine on Nov. 9.

On Nov. 13, a violinist played the Hatikvah — Israel’s national anthem — amid a sea of blue and white balloons on the grass lawn on upper campus. Each balloon was pinned down with a poster of one of the 239 hostages taken by Hamas and was part of a display set up by Beach Hillel, the campus chapter of the Jewish religious organization.

A statement from the campus Jewish Employee Association called on the campus to “temper inflammatory language that fans the flames of an antisemitic backlash, puts us in danger and also threatening our Arab and Muslim brethren.”

Each demonstration has ended peacefully. However, student activists say their involvement in pro-Palestinian activism has put them at risk and they are receiving death threats. A third-year student activist, who asked to remain anonymous for her safety, said the climate has turned a little bit scary.

“It’s been different in the sense that we need to be very careful and very cautious, very under the ropes and under cover, masked up,” she said. “All you need is one picture of yourself at these protests and that’s all it takes to get doxxed.”

— Briana Mendez-Padilla

Stanford University

At Stanford, students have turned to vigils, art installations, protests, walk-outs, car parades and chalking to advocate for their beliefs and demand university action since the conflict broke out. The most enduring student action has been the four-week-long “Sit-in to Stop Genocide” in White Plaza at the center of campus. Sophomore Alisha Service joined the sit-in on its first night after participating in a protest attended by nearly 1,000 Stanford affiliates on Oct. 20. She is one of 50 participants of Arab, Muslim, Jewish, and other backgrounds who now spend varying amounts of time at the sit-in, some staying overnight every night.

“It’s not on the burden of Palestinians to continuously advocate for themselves alone,” said Annabelle Davis, a Jewish senior who joined the sit-in a few weeks after it began and spends as much time as she can there. “I felt that it was important to visibly be in support, not only as someone who believes in the cause and believes that the demands that we’re making to Stanford are necessary but also to be a visible Jewish presence within the sit-in and its actions.”

The sit-in is demanding university officials condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza as war crimes and call for a ceasefire, provide resources for Palestinian students, launch a committee to investigate and address research initiatives that contribute to the subjugation of Palestinian people, and commit to the Boycott, Divest and Sanction movement against Israel. The sit-in also serves as a hub for writing op-eds, planning events, and supporting those affected and interested in learning more. But student life continues: it’s not uncommon to find students finishing their homework or studying for midterms.

Students involved in the sit-in have also faced threats of physical violence, including rape, and insults calling them terrorists from faculty and community members, Service and Davis told CalMatters. They have reported several threats to the university but only a handful have been sent out as alerts to the campus community under the federal Clery Act.

One student, who asked to not be named, said university officials asked the sit-in participants to end the encampment by Nov. 6, per a university policy against camping on the grounds. However, the sit-in is still ongoing while the students negotiate with the university.

On Nov. 12, a group of Jewish and Israeli students set up a tent 15 feet away from the sit-in. Isaac Deutsch, a junior who co-organized the tent, said that their tent is intended to amplify Jewish and Israeli perspectives and to be a space for open discourse. Members of the sit-in say that the new tent feels like an attempt to oppose their efforts, which Deustch denied, pointing to the fact that the university offers limited spaces for student advocacy and their chosen spot, which does not face the sit-in, was the most respectful option.

— Jacqueline Munis

UCLA

Muslim, Jewish and Arab student groups, along with Westwood community members, have held multiple vigils and rallies within the last month at UCLA. Hundreds of impassioned, flag-bearing students affected by the crisis attended mass walk-outs and marches to support either Palestine or Israel.

According to Salma, a fourth-year UCLA student who declined to give her full name out of fear of being doxxed or retaliated against, said there was little confrontation from pro-Israel student groups while attending protests and vigils hosted by Students for Justice in Palestine at UCLA. However, she added that most anti-Muslim sentiments and harassment are coming from unknown Westwood community members on and off campus, such as student demonstrators and peers being berated by older men with photographs of hostages and Israeli flags, accompanied by aggressive accusations of terrorism.

“They act with impunity because they know the administration won’t do anything about it,” Salma said.

UC President Michael Drake announced Wednesday that the UC is investing $7 million into developing means to ease conflict on campuses, such as mental health services, educational programs and training for UC faculty. The UCLA Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs sent an announcement to notify students of on-campus resources for reporting physical violence or verbal harassment, and that campus police would increase its visibility and presence on campus to diffuse tensions.

Members of the pro-Palestine group alleged multiple incidents of physical and verbal assaults against students at protests and in Westwood. “What I feel is most unfortunate is that this very aggressive behavior — even going to the extreme of physical assault — has happened to Muslim and Arab students on campus,” Salma said.

Ellie, a fourth-year student who also declined to give her full name, said she believes this conflict will give rise to both Islamophobia and antisemitism at UC campuses, citing accusations of each from fellow students personally and online.

“There is probably going to be rising antisemitism. I haven’t heard any personal stories, but I do think it’s very possible, but there’s also going to be a rise of Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism,” Ellie said.

Both Salma and Ellie added that it will be difficult to improve the deteriorating relations between students situated on different sides of the conflict. “I’m not going to defend someone who won’t educate themselves with reliable information,” Salma said.

— Christopher Buchanan

Cal State Fullerton

As protests, demonstrations and gatherings have increased at universities throughout the state, campus leadership at Cal State Fullerton continues to show support for its grieving students — with faculty playing an increased role in dampening tensions on campus.

Following a candlelight vigil held on Oct. 23 for all who have died in Israel and Gaza, Shana Charles, a Fullerton professor in attendance, said the inclusion of Jewish and Muslim communities on campus offers everyone a pathway to healthy dialogue with those grieving. While faculty members have been encouraging student voices through educational seminars and public forums, the university has maintained neutrality in support of their students, an act noticed by many.

“As an inclusive community, it is important to recognize and communicate our empathy for how these events are experienced by our diverse Titan community. We are bound together by our shared Guiding Principles for Social Justice and commitment to a safe and inclusive learning and working environment,” said President Sylvia Alva in a university-wide email.

“I’m very thankful that Fullerton is more aware of the realities of what’s going on,” said senior Cal State Fullerton student Dunia, who is Palestinian and consented to only give her first name in fear of backlash from the community. “If they weren’t, they would’ve let out the same tone-deaf statement being seen at other schools. When I look at [the university] statement itself, I think it’s prevented a lot of escalation from happening.”

— Hugo Rios

Cal State Bakersfield

Some students at Cal State Bakersfield have participated in informational events and a vigil in response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Publicized events have been largely pro-Palestinian, with no vocal pro-Israeli actions. Over the past month, students have stood on campus with signs that read, “Ask me about Palestine.” Sarah Alame, a biology graduate student leading the actions, said that most students who approached them did not feel that they were informed enough to talk about the topic.

“A lot of people came up to us and they just told us, ‘We don’t understand what’s happening. Can you please explain to us what’s going on?’” said Alame.

Alame also organized a candlelight vigil on Nov. 14 with two student organizations on campus to honor the Palestinian lives lost in the Gaza Strip. Alame said she believes that honoring the loss of Palestinians does not diminish the loss of Israelis, but rather brings attention to those that have not received as much media coverage and support.

“I wanted to create a safe space for students to come and express their concerns and to express their grief or, I guess, to grieve in unison,” said Alame. “I also wanted to make a statement to our university leaders that students care about this. Our university leaders have been silent about this since the very beginning.”

— Haydee Barahona

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

In San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly students and community members have publicly gathered for marches, protests and teach-ins since Oct. 7. One month later, multiple Jewish organizations at Cal Poly hosted a march on campus to demand the release of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas. Two days after that, at the weekly farmer’s market in downtown San Luis Obispo, nearly 300 community members called for Palestinian liberation.

Freshman Sameeha Siraj attended the march for Palestine, and brought along two friends, in hopes of forming a sense of community and spreading awareness. Siraj said she has a friend in one of the Palestinian territories who has had multiple family members who died in the conflict, emphasizing that having a tangible connection to someone “feels really real.” The last time she heard from her friend was two weeks ago and she hasn’t been able to contact her since.

“I have kind of a privilege of where I am and I just thought it was imperative that I also step in and do what I can,” Siraj said. “It’s just the bare minimum and I think the march is a great way to really form as a community and go together because you feel stronger that way.”

Another Cal Poly freshman, who declined to share her name for safety concerns, explained her reasons for attending a community event in support of Palestine.

“I felt like it was important to show my support for the people that the genocide is happening to,” the student said. “It’s important to bring this attention to the issue over here because we have a lot of power as Americans and since America is such a big supporter of the Israeli government.”

Following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong sent out an initial response stating that Cal Poly’s “practice… is not to comment on current national and world events that do not directly impact a critical mass of our students and employees.”

However, the next day, after an unidentified male from a passing truck shouted “Death to Israel” at two Jewish-identifying students, Armstrong emailed a follow-up message addressing the incident and his previous message. He apologized for having “added to your burden in any way” and stated that the initial letter “failed badly” to reassure the campus community.

— Amelia Wu

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CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Kenneth “John Man” Roberts, born on March 11, 1941, in Hoopa, to Eleanor Logan and Henry VanPelt. He passed away on November 15, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. He was a cherished member of the Yurok Tribe, leaving a mark on the community he called home.

A man of many talents and passions, John Man was known for his skills on the pool table and his love for teasing the kids in the community. He worked at various times as a truck driver, for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), as a water truck driver for his uncle Ellis, for Fish and Game, and with NCIDC. His commitment extended to his roles on the UIHS Board of Directors, NCIDC Board of Directors and with the Yurok Tribal Council.

John Man began his journey in the Air Force right out of high school, where he not only served his country but also excelled as a golden glove boxer. Beyond his military service, he had a passion for working on cars, possessing the ability to decipher manuals to take apart and put cars back together, and if there were some extra screws he would not worry about where they belonged.

For two years, John Man lived in Siletz, Oregon where he quickly made friendships that made him feel like a lifelong resident.

He did not care if he was driving or riding or how long or short, he was always ready to go for a ride. He always liked driving his Gram and old Aunt Ollie all over to attend Indian Shaker Church.

John Man is preceded in death by his grandmother, Francis Roberts; mother, Eleanor Logan; father,  Henry VanPelt; stepfather, John Logan; nephew, Donald “Beanie” Kentta; brothers; Rafey Roberts, Joe Sorrell, Charles “Mike” Sorrell, and John “Buck” Logan; sister, Arlene Kentta; and nephew, William “Bum Bum” Logan.

He is survived by his ex-wife, Evelyn Roberts; daughter, Kella Bessette (Joey); grandchildren, Isaac Scott, Sarah Scott, and Carol McCovey; and great-granddaughter, Stella McCovey. His son, John “John Kan” Roberts (Witweat), and grandchildren, Basil Conrad, Julien and Pergish Salinas, and Eleanor Roberts. He is also survived by his aunt, Frances “Honeygirl” Snider; sisters, Darlene Magee and Lillie Butler (Reggie Sr.); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers: Preston Ruiz, Dennis “DJ” Ruiz, Steven Osburne, Lil Shawn Logan, Chemooch Logan, Lil Buck Logan, Finley Logan, and Sly Logan.

Honorary Pallbearers: Louie Myers, Shawn Logan, John John Logan, Rafey Logan, Leo Canez, Reggie Butler Jr., and Lee Butler.

Services and a wake will be held at Johnson’s Indian Shaker Church. The wake is scheduled for Tuesday, November 21, 2023, with services on Wednesday, November 22, at 11 am, officiated by Rodney Vigil and Dr. George Blake. A potluck will follow the service.

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Kathleen Hazel Duncan was born prematurely at Loma Linda Hospital on September 18, 1929.  The only child of Carrie Leroy Stucker Lollar and Glen Lollar, Kathleen clung to life in an incubator for  weeks.  Determined Carrie, raised on a farm in Hotchkiss, Colorado and intent on saving her tiny baby, walked to the hospital every day to nurture Kathleen.  A miracle baby, Kathleen appreciated every day and was full of gratitude and joy in living for 94 years.   She died at home in Trinidad peacefully on November 17. 

Kathleen received a fine educational start at a Seventh Day Adventist School and then public school in Norwalk, California.  She graduated from Excelsior Union High School in 1947.  During the Depression Kathleen’s father Glen dug post holes and drove a slow-going delivery truck, before there were vast southern California freeways, for Alliance Dairy in Norwalk serving Arden Farms.  Kathleen was allowed to ride on top of the 10-gallon milk cans and remembered being treated to ice cream at the end of the route.  Her father opened Glen’s Car Garage in 1941 and passed on to his daughter a life-long love of automobiles and much practical knowledge.  She learned to drive in a 1937 Chevrolet coupe stick shift.  A classic 1957 Thunderbird with port hole was a gift from her father.

Kathleen married Chuck Koss in 1948 and they lived in Downey, however they divorced after two years (“we were too young” said Kathleen).  She learned about hard work and resilience while working at a Super Burger restaurant, the Los Angeles Meat Company, and an office supply company in Santa Monica.  After her father died in 1967, Kathleen learned cosmetology and for years she worked at the Beverly Hills Hotel and for a Palos Verdes salon specializing in “Sebring” cuts.  During her years working in cosmetology, she encountered many clients in the entertainment industry: Fred Astaire, Steve Lawrence, Edydie Gorme, Audrey Meadows, Raquel Welch, Count Basie and many others.    A life-long music and dancing enthusiast when Big Bands performed live, she danced to Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman music and heard Lionel Hampton and Frank Sinatra in person. 

Kathleen lived in Manhattan Beach when she decided to “move to the country” and Trinidad became her home in 1979.  She met the love of her life, John Harvey Duncan, owner of Park Cafe and Big D RV Park (now Azalea Glen) while jogging to Patrick’s Point State Park (Sumeg).  John spotted the beautiful Kathleen and called to her to stop for a cup of coffee by saying “Come on in, I just might change your life.”  And he did. 

John, a career Army veteran who served in both World War II and the Korean War, and Kathleen were married on Valentine’s Day 1982 in Mickey and Patti Fleschner’s home, and enjoyed 28 years together at their Park and later at their home off Scenic Drive until 2010, when John died at their home.  Kathleen and John were active in the Greater Trinidad Chamber of Commerce and accommodated visiting fishermen at their wooded park with duck ponds, making many friends and hosting several outdoor hog roasts. 

Kathleen sang in Dottie Haukenberry’s Trinidad Community Choir for 22 years, served as President of the Trinidad Civic Club, volunteered in the gift shop at Mad River Hospital for over 15 years and was a life-long member of Trinidad Museum Society, having served as its first secretary in the early 1980s.  For 15 years she line-danced in Trinidad Town Hall with a group of friends. She and John shared many road trips and Army reunions.  They traveled to Germany to visit the places where John captained tanks during World War II.  The couple was grateful every day for the opportunities and freedoms afforded to citizens of the United States of America.

Kathleen leaves behind an affectionate family of step-children:  Lucille Annette “Tina” (James) Wilson of Magalia; Russell (Anita) Duncan of Whitesville, New York; Hal (Marsha) Duncan of St. Augustine, Florida; Brian Eric (Karen) Duncan of Las Vegas; Dustyn Marcus Duncan of San Francisco; and Bruce Allen (Michelle) Duncan of Salem, Oregon; step-grandchildren James Powell Wilson, Matthew (Martina) Wilson, Nicholas Parker (Melissa Jauregui) Duncan, Air Force Captain Keenyn Duncan. Kellyanne (James) Howarth, Tristram Duncan, Aaron (Lesley Jade) Duncan, Eric (Alison) Duncan, and Patty Reynolds; and step-great grandchildren Austin Arnold Duncan, Hunter Rose Duncan, Olivia James Duncan and Olivia Jeanne and Charlotte Ann Duncan.  She was close to her cousins, Carolyn Moore of Norco, California and daughter Jean (Bret) Burns, Danny (Mary) Moore, Glenda (Dave) Cowan of Emporia, Kansas and Gale Penfield of Novato and to her Nevada family Sam (Shae) and Owen Lompa and Greg (Stephanie) and Corbin Lompa as well as friends Dr. Michael and Kathrin Burleson of Trinidad, Bill and Sue Scott, Kirsten Trump, Donna Haddock, Nina Groth, Dick & Margie Kieselhorst, Christie Duray, and her friend of 50 years, Patricia Fleschner and her children Ashley (Andrea) Fleschner and Michael David Fleschner of Portland, Oregon and Michael David and Gina Duvoisin Fleschner’s children Sebastian, Eloise, Georgia Fleschner and all of the extended Fleschner family.  Her friend since kindergarten, Polly (Chuck) Donley of Seal Beach, California, predeceased Kathleen, who introduced the Donleys when they were seniors in high school.

Hospice of Humboldt has been exemplary in their care of Kathleen since October 31.  Tina Wilson has been a constant and kind companion for over a month, and Anita Duncan flew from New York to lovingly care for Kathleen as well.

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Sheila I. (Schuler) Darling was born in Eureka, CA on January 26th, 1947 to Donald K. Schuler and Laura Larsen Schuler. She died peacefully surrounded by family on November 14th, 2023 in Santa Rosa.

Sheila attended Washington Elementary School for the first two years and then the family moved to Willow Creek where she attended Trinity Valley Elementary, graduating from 8th grade. She then attended her freshman year of high school at Hoopa Valley High School.  Her family moved back to Eureka in 1962 where she completed high school at what was then known as Eureka Senior High School. She attended College of the Redwoods and Humboldt State University.

She was employed by Humboldt County for over 33 years until her retirement in 2002. She enjoyed keeping in touch with special friends she had made during her long career. She is a member of the Eureka First Church of the Nazarene.  She enjoyed church, friends and family, traveling, gardening, and spending time at their winter home in Arizona where many fond memories and cherished friendships were made.

Sheila was preceded in death by her parents Donald and Laura Schuler, and her husband, Keith R. Darling of 47 years.

She is survived by her stepson, Keith F. Darling, stepdaughter, Lynn Darling Wolfe, and her husband, Daryl Wolfe, as well as her grandsons, Andrew Darling, and Jake Darling (Pyper), along with many cousins in and out of the area. 

Services will be held on November 28th, 2023 at the Church of the Nazarene in Eureka at 11 a.m.

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Thanksgiving is nearly here, which means that many of our local nonprofits are busy preparing turkey dinners with all the fixins to serve to hungry folks this week. And while it seems that a few of our usual venues are unable to participate this year, or already did a meal earlier in the month, there are still a few options available for folks to get a hearty meal on (or near) Thanksgiving. 

And if you aren’t in need of food this holiday, but would like to help feed others, a couple of places are also taking volunteers to help prep, cook or serve grub to the community. 

Betty Kwann Chinn Day Center —133 Seventh Street, Eureka

As always, Betty and her team will be providing pre-packed dinners for those in need this Thanksgiving season. In order to try to provide as many free meal opportunities as possible, Chinn and other Eureka-based organizers coordinate each year to provide their Thanksgiving meals on different days/ times during the week. Chinn’s free meals will be available at the day center on Tuesday, Nov. 21. 

Chinn said that she will have about 500 meals ready to go on Tuesday and will be handing them out starting at 4 p.m. until all the food is gone. 

Eureka Rescue Mission — 110 Second Street, Eureka

For its part, the Eureka Rescue Mission will be serving a big, free meal on the day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, Nov. 22 from noon to 2 p.m. 

The meal will be served inside the chapel and is open to all in need. 

St. Vincent de Paul — 35 West Third Street, Eureka

With food already covered on Tuesday and Wednesday,  St. Vincent de Paul will be serving a traditional meal on actual Thanksgiving Day — Thursday, Nov. 23 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. 

If you are interested in volunteering with SVdP, organizers said that they are well-staffed for Thanksgiving Day, but could maybe use help prepping and cooking on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. If you’d rather donate some food,  the nonprofit is looking for a couple of items, particularly candied yams and canned pineapple.

Salvation Army — 2123 Tydd Street, Eureka 

Another option on Thanksgiving Day is getting your free meal at Eureka’s Salvation Army, which will be serving folks on Thursday, Nov. 23 from noon to 2 p.m.

Folks will have the option of eating there or taking a meal to-go. 

Mateel Community Center — 59 Rusk Lane, Redway

For those looking for a meal in SoHum, the Mateel Community Center is putting on its annual free meal on Thanksgiving Day from 12:30 p.m. until it’s all ate up! The meal will be served buffet-style and all are welcome.

If you are a senior with mobility issues, the Mateel volunteers are also delivering meals to seniors’ homes in the Garberville/ Redway area. You can sign up for the service between now and Thursday morning, by calling Amie at (707) 223-3063. 

And if you’re looking to help out, the Mateel is still in need of volunteers to help prep and cook on Thursday morning and all day on Wednesday. To sign up to volunteer, call the same number above, or you can just come by!

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Do you know of a free Thanksgiving meal that the Outpost missed? Drop us a line at news@lostcoastoutpost.com and we’ll add it to the list!

Arcata Fire District release: 

On November 18, 2023 at 7:34pm Arcata Fire District was called to an alert for a residential structure fire at the 1100 block of Gassaway Rd. Firefighters arrived on scene to find the downstairs apartment fully charged with smoke. The door was unlocked and found to have an active fire contained to the kitchen. Firefighters immediately extinguished the flames and set to remove smoke from the home.

The fire claimed the life of the family dog after firefighters attempted CPR for approximately 15 minutes. The American Red Cross was called to assist with housing the occupants, and the district issued a SAVE card to the residents of the incident. SAVE is a program funded by the California Fire Foundation that provides immediate, short term relief to victims of fire or other natural disasters.

The cause of the fire was likely due to the power returning on after the outage, and AFD would like to remind all that when the power goes out, to unplug or turn off all appliances you were using while the power was still on.

Arcata Fire would like to thank our mutual aid partners for responding; Westhaven Volunteer Fire, Fieldbrook Volunteer Fire, CalFire and the Humboldt County Sheriffs Dept.

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Confirming rumors of his pending candidacy, California Democratic Party chair Rusty Hicks today paid his filing fee and pulled nomination paperwork to run for the state assembly District 2 seat, which will be be vacated at the end of the current term by Healdsburg resident Jim Wood.

Prior to his election as party chair in 2019 — and his re-election in 2021 — Hicks worked as a political organizer and labor union leader in Los Angeles. An attorney and Navy veteran who served in Afghanistan, Hicks moved with his wife to Arcata a couple years ago, according to Steve Barkan, a longtime friend who responded to an Outpost inquiry submitted to the California Democratic Party last week.

The campaign to fill Wood’s seat is already crowded, though Hicks might be considered the frontrunner given his position of power within the party establishment. He”ll be running against Healdsburg Mayor Ariel Kelley, Mendocino County Supervisor Ted Williams and Santa Rosa City Council Member Chris Rogers, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Arcata resident Margarita Fedorova has pulled nomination paperwork for the position. And on the Republican side, Del Norte Unified School District Trustee Michael Greer has thrown his hat in the ring

Theorizing about a Hicks Assembly run, Politico last week noted that if he steps aside from his state party chairmanship to concentrate on his campaign — something that’s not required by the party’s bylaws — it “would create a leadership vacuum in the middle of an election cycle.”

If he does step down, Vice Chair Betty Yee would replace him, though she has announced plans to run for governor in 2026. 

At the state convention in Sacramento this past weekend, Hicks spoke out against the hundreds of protesters who showed up with Palestinian flags and chanted, “Ceasefire now!” Their demonstrations drowned out the remarks of Reps. Adam Schiff and Katie Porter, who are competing with Rep. Barbara Lee for U.S. Senate seat, and the disruptions “compelled party officials to cancel all Saturday night events and step up security for [Sunday],” CalMatters reported. 

Hicks called the protest “unacceptable” and threatened repercussions for any delegates who violated the party’s code of conduct.

“Antisemitism and Islamophobia has no place in our party or in our communities,” he said. “We condemn acts of violence that bring harm to our neighbors and divide us from one another, both here at home and abroad.”

Hicks did not immediately respond to a voicemail message from the Outpost.

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Note: This post has been updated to add information about last weekend’s Democratic Party convention in Sacramento.