Protesters interrupt Adam Schiff’s victory speech and chant ‘Ceasefire now’

Rep. Adam Schiff got everything he wanted on Super Tuesday: not only a first-place finish in the primary for a Senate seat in California, but also his favorite opponent in the general election in second place.

But the party didn’t go so smoothly. When Mr. Schiff, a Democrat, took the stage in Los Angeles to claim his victory, demonstrators calling for a ceasefire in Gaza began chanting almost immediately. He made only a short speech.

“My wife, Eve, is here tonight,” he said as part of his opening remarks, as chants of “ceasefire now” first broke out. He stopped talking and only resumed after a long pause, but the chants continued.

IfNotNow, a Jewish organization that opposes Israel’s actions in its war against Hamas, said on social media that the Los Angeles chapter was behind the protest at Mr. Schiff’s event, along with the local chapter of a like-minded group, Jewish Voice for Peace.

“As Jews, we cannot remain silent while the people of Gaza are being slaughtered,” the IfNotNow post said.

Protests against a ceasefire were common during speeches by many politicians during the five months during which Israel bombed Gaza, which is now on the brink of famine.

Mr. Schiff has staunchly supported Israel during his campaign and has said a ceasefire should be conditional on the release of the remaining hostages taken during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7. That set him apart from his two main Democratic leaders. opponents in the primary, Reps. Katie Porter and Barbara Lee.

He was noticeably shaken by the protest, although he repeatedly acknowledged the protesters’ right to make a statement. “We are so lucky, so fortunate that we live in a democracy where we all have the right to protest,” he said.

Even after he left the stage, they continued to sing, “Let Gaza live.” Some event attendees shouted back, shouting “Stop” and “Shut up.” Security officers escorted the demonstrators out, but more and more small groups among the crowd continued to emerge with chants even as Mr. Schiff began speaking again.

Finally, he thanked a few more people before waving to the crowd, chatting and shaking hands with the supporters behind him and walking away. Less than nine minutes passed between when he took the stage and when he left, and for much of that period he did not speak.

Afterward, Mr. Schiff spoke privately to a small group of supporters on a balcony at the event location.

“Of course he acknowledges what happened,” Senator Ben Allen said after speaking to him, adding that Mr. Schiff was probably “used to it.” He added that “in the end it’s a big victory.”