The eight candidates vying for Democratic National Committee chair sit for a forum that was repeatedly interrupted by protesters, at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 30, 2025. (Fox News - Paul Steinhauser)
"Unlike the other party, that is demonizing diversity, we understand that diversity is our greatest strength," Harrison said at the start of the debate before bringing the candidates out.
Biden and many Democrats portrayed DEI efforts as a way to boost inclusion and representation for communities historically marginalized. However Trump and his supporters, on the 2024 campaign trail, repeatedly charged that such programs were discriminatory and called for restoring "merit-based" hiring.
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Since his inauguration on Jan. 20 and his return to power in the White House, Trump has signed a slew of sweeping executive orders and actions to end the federal government's involvement in DEI programs, reversing in some cases decades of hiring practices by the federal government. Trump's actions are also pushing large corporations in the private sector to abandon their diversity efforts.
At Thursday's showdown, there was plenty of focus on diversity and racism.
A protester is removed by security after heckling at a Democratic National Committee chair election debate at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 30, 2025. (Fox News - Paul Steinhauser)
The protests, staged in waves, include calls for the DNC chair candidates to bring back the party's ban on corporate PAC and lobbyist donations that was in effect during former President Barack Obama's administration.
The youth-led, left-wing climate action organization known as the Sunrise Movement, said the first three protesters were affiliated with their group.
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Another protester, who was not believed to be affiliated with the Sunrise Movement, as he was dragged out of the debate hall by security, yelled, "What will you do to get fossil fuel money out of Democratic politics? We are facing a climate emergency!"
Much of the audience, which consisted of many DNC voting members, appeared frustrated by the repeated interruptions.
"Protest the Republicans. Protest the people who are actually hurting you!" a member of the audience shouted out.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/democrats-rally-around-lightening-rod-issue-during-unruly-dnc-debate-despite-voter-backlash-2024