NEW ORLEANS — Three people disrupted a Democratic National Committee spring meeting in New Orleans, standing from their seats to protest U.S. funding of Israel and accusing DNC Chair Ken Martin of breaking a promise of transparency. The protesters called on Democratic leaders to vow to reject money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and to denounce violence against Palestinians.

During the disruption, protesters shouted questions including "Why you afraid of AIPAC?" and "What are you hiding, Ken Martin?" one protester asked. Another protester asked, "How many kids have you killed?" A third protester used profanity to denounce Israel. No agreement was reached at the meeting on a symbolic statement regarding AIPAC.

AIPAC has spent large amounts in Democratic primary races in recent campaigns, and its role has become a point of contention among Democrats. Support for U.S. aid to Israel, including for defense, is a factor in midterm Democratic primary contests and for Democrats considering a 2028 presidential run.

Many state party chairs, candidates, and elected officials at the meeting said rank-and-file voters did not name AIPAC or funding for Israel among their top three concerns. Voters primarily identified economic issues such as housing costs, food costs, and health care availability as their top priorities.

North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton said, "I think sometimes that people who are in Washington, D.C., for far too long are far too disengaged from what the ground is actually feeling." Clayton added, "The reality right now about North Carolina is it is the third-fastest-growing state in the country, and it is becoming more and more impossible for people to stay in the communities that they've grown up in and lived in, and costs are just rising every single day."

In Iowa, tariffs have reduced farm revenue and hospitals and clinics outside major cities have closed. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said, "It's our rural hospitals closing down. It's about rural Iowa really struggling to survive. It's about how does a young couple stay in Iowa when there's no place to go to have a baby that's closer than an hour and a half away."