
WASHINGTON (TND) — The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (NYC-DSA) is under fire after posting a flier targeting Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., that appeared to use racist imagery.
NYC-DSA, in announcing a ceasefire protest, encouraged followers to “make art” outside Rep. Jeffries’s office. Included on the flier was a crude drawing of a watermelon, something commenters instantly took offense to.

While some noted the watermelon is sometimes used as a symbol of Palestine due to the shared colors with its flag, others said its racist ties could not be ignored.
Former New York State Sen. Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, D-Nyack, mocked the post.
DSA's poster discussion, a short play: ‘Comrades, how can we pressure Hakeem Jeffries to do what we want?’ ‘How about a drawing of a watermelon?’ ‘Great idea! That will really show him we mean business. And there's definitely nothing racist about it either!’ End scene,” Reichlin-Melnick wrote.
Commentator Stephen Miller noted the group has the support of some progressive lawmakers, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.
“So NY DSA chose to highlight the black house minority leader with a watermelon on a flyer,” he wrote. “This is @AOC's DSA by the way, no big deal.”
Columnist Max Burns described the message as an “own-goal” by DSA.
“Another own-goal of a messaging mess from DSA, which inexplicably chose to call Rep. Hakeem Jeffries out with a poster that includes a giant watermelon,” he noted.
Others expressed confusion over the decision by the group.
“To all the people saying it’s not racist because it represents Palestine: you could just put a flag on flyer,” a user said. “Or a label that says you support that cause. But no, they went with the dog whistle.”
Neither Rep. Jeffries’s office nor the NYC-DSA responded to requests for comment from The National Desk Thursday.
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