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The Democratic National Convention in Chicago has become a focal point for a unique group of delegates known as the “uncommitted.” These delegates represent a significant protest movement within the Democratic Party, highlighting the growing discontent with the party’s stance on Israel’s war in Gaza. With President Joe Biden stepping down from the 2024 presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris now faces the challenge of addressing the concerns of these delegates to unify the party.
The Rise of the ‘Uncommitted’
The movement began with the Listen to Michigan campaign in February, a grassroots effort encouraging primary voters to cast “uncommitted” ballots as a form of protest against Biden’s unconditional support for Israel. The campaign exceeded expectations, winning more than 13 percent of the vote in Michigan. As the movement gained momentum, it spread across the nation, leading to the election of approximately 30 uncommitted delegates from states like Hawaii, Washington, and Minnesota.
These delegates, now at the convention, are using their platform to demand a commitment from the Democratic Party to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an arms embargo against Israel. Their message is clear: without a meaningful change in policy, large segments of the party base — particularly young voters, Arabs, Muslims, and progressives — may not be energized to support Harris in the upcoming election.
Voices of the ‘Uncommitted’
Yaz Kader, a delegate from Washington state, emphasized the power of civic engagement as a tool for protest. Draped in a keffiyeh with a pin that read “Not another bomb,” Kader highlighted the need to apply existing US and international laws to prevent further atrocities in Gaza. “Our laws do not allow for 16,000 children to be killed in Palestine. There has been this exception made for the Israeli government and military, and it’s not OK,” Kader stated.
Abbas Alawieh, a Michigan delegate and a leader of the “uncommitted” movement, spoke of the heavy responsibility he feels towards the voters who sent him to the convention. He expressed his determination to push for Palestinian human rights and an end to the bombing in regions like south Lebanon, where his own family resides. “It feels like a big weight, and I’m trying to remember to drink water,” Alawieh shared.
Challenges and Criticisms
The “uncommitted” delegates face criticism from some quarters of the Democratic Party, with accusations that their movement could help Republican candidate Donald Trump by splitting the party’s base. However, delegates like Jeremiah Ellison, a Minneapolis City Council member, dismissed these concerns as “silly.” Ellison argued that the delegates are participating in the party’s process to advocate for popular policies, not to undermine the party’s chances in the general election.
Ellison stressed that the “uncommitted” delegates are not acting alone. Many voters across the country share their concerns about the war in Gaza and want an end to the atrocities. The delegates believe that by pushing the Democratic Party to adopt these popular policies, they are strengthening, not weakening, the party’s chances in November.
The Stakes for Kamala Harris
The “uncommitted” delegates are clear in their message to Vice President Harris: to win in November, she must listen to the concerns of voters, particularly those of the younger generation. Shay Chan Hodges, a delegate from Hawaii, pointed out that many young voters are disengaged and may not turn out to vote unless they see a significant shift in the party’s stance on Gaza. “We need every vote we can get,” Chan Hodges warned.
Rima Mohammad, a delegate from Michigan, echoed these concerns, warning that Harris could lose crucial swing states like Michigan if she does not take a strong stance on Gaza. Mohammad emphasized that the movement’s success in Michigan, where 17 percent of voters in Washtenaw County backed the “uncommitted” campaign, reflects widespread dissatisfaction with Washington’s support for Israel.
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