Pro-Palestinian Conference Panelist Accuses U.S. of ‘Evil’ and Urges Destruction of American Identity
A panelist at the ‘People’s Conference for Palestine’ in Detroit has sparked controversy by accusing the United States of being an ‘evil country’ and calling for the destruction of the idea of America in Americans’ minds. Sachin Peddada, a Ph.D. student in economics and research coordinator at Progressive International, delivered the remarks during a panel discussion titled ‘No Weapons for Genocide: The People Demand an Arms Embargo.’ His comments, which were met with enthusiastic applause, have raised significant debate over the rhetoric used in the context of international conflicts.
Speaking about the U.S. role in the Israel-Palestine conflict, Peddada framed the country as an ’empire’ driven by greed and complicit in the suffering of Palestinians. He accused the United States of being ‘the most responsible country’ for the ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank, claiming that its actions have caused widespread devastation. The panelist argued that the American perception of exceptionalism and superiority has obscured the country’s role in perpetuating global conflicts, urging Americans to ‘see the humanity of everybody outside the warping of American exceptionalism.’ His remarks, which were amplified by the audience, have drawn sharp criticism from some Americans who found the language of ‘destroying the idea of America’ highly inflammatory.
The conference itself, organized by a dozen pro-Palestinian groups, has drawn criticism for featuring speakers with extreme views, including two former Israeli prisoners and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a prominent anti-Israel congresswoman. One attendee commented on the rhetoric, stating, ‘As an American, I find this galling,’ with references to the erosion of American historical and cultural symbols. The events, which began on Friday and are expected to run through Sunday, have also sparked discussions about the broader implications of such rhetoric on U.S.-Palestinian relations and the potential for escalating tensions.
As tensions continue to mount in the Israel-Palestine conflict, the remarks by Peddada and the context of the conference highlight the polarizing nature of the discourse surrounding the conflict. The People’s Conference for Palestine, with its focus on anti-American rhetoric and calls for global solidarity, represents a significant point of contention in the ongoing dialogue about U.S. foreign policy and its impact on global stability.