On July 13, independent candidate for U.S. President Diane Sare held a highly visible rally outside the Manhattan office of Sen. Chuck Schumer on 3rd Avenue, demanding a rejection of the provision in the NDAA that would integrate the U.S. and Israeli militaries. Ten people participated, with two large signs saying “Stop NDAA Sec. 219: No Merger with Israeli Military.” Independent candidate for Congress Karen Ortiz also participated in the rally, at which several hundred copies of Sare’s statement were distributed.
Many passers-by were familiar with the debate, knew of the specifics of the legislation, and were eager to sign up to take action.
The next day, Sen. Schumer led his party in voting against cloture on the NDAA—preventing a vote on the legislation—but not for the reasons Sare presented.
