A national panel of the Democratic Socialists of America decided Monday to once again delay voting on whether to uphold or rescind the Los Angeles chapter\u2019s endorsement of Nithya Raman in the L.A. mayor\u2019s race over concerns that Raman hadn\u2019t taken a sufficiently tough stance against Israel. <\/p>\n
The left-wing group\u2019s National Political Committee had begun a review of DSA-L.A.\u2019s endorsement of Raman after some members pointed out that Raman hadn\u2019t been asked for her position on \u201cR22,\u201d a DSA resolution that requires local chapters to inquire about a candidate\u2019s support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel before they are endorsed.<\/p>\n
The committee met last week and again Monday, when it voted to work with DSA-LA to organize an Oct. 31 meeting with Raman to assess her position on BDS and other issues related to the Gaza conflict. <\/p>\n
If she fails to \u201cprovide clear and unequivocal commitments\u201d to their questions, the national committee will vote on whether to rescind DSA-LA\u2019s endorsement, a spokesperson confirmed.<\/p>\n
If Raman wins the Nov. 3 election, the group also wants a commitment by her to oppose weapons being shipped to Israel out of Los Angeles International Airport. <\/p>\n
If Raman has not \u201cexpressed support for BDS and condemned weapon shipments out of LAX\u201d by Jan.1, the National Political Committee will \u201ccompile the documentation of fair and ample opportunity for education about the Palestinian struggle for liberation necessary to begin a disciplinary process under R22 and thereafter schedule a vote on expelling Nithya Raman on those grounds,\u201d according to a resolution approved by the committee.<\/p>\n
The Raman campaign sent a statement to DSA on Monday during the national committee meeting that outlined her stance on BDS.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe the best way for working Angelenos to stand in solidarity with Gaza is through non-violent protest, legislative action, and diplomatic pressure, including BDS,\u201d Raman said in the statement. <\/p>\n
The Raman campaign declined to say whether the council member personally supports BDS, and pointed The Times back to the statement she sent to the DSA and other statements<\/a> she has made in the past. Raman has said she does not plan to make BDS part of her mayoral platform. <\/p>\n Some Angelenos in DSA were frustrated with the move to rescind the endorsement.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel that this is unnecessary, but that I am encouraged that Nithya has actually expressed support for Palestine and our priorities and that she is compliant with R22,\u201d said Clayton Ryles, a member of DSA-LA who also serves on the 27-person national committee, after the meeting. \u201cNot everybody agrees on that.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryles \u2014 one of a few DSA-LA members on the committee \u2014 plans to vote against rescinding the endorsement. He also supported Raman\u2019s endorsement as a member of DSA-LA.<\/p>\n