Muslim Women for Harris dissolves, withdraws endorsement
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The Uncommitted Movement was in support of the campaign inviting the family of Israeli captive Hersh Goldberg-Polin to speak on Wednesday but advocated for a comparable platform for Palestinians.
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Protesters rally at a demonstration in Union Park during the Democratic National Convention on August 21, 2024. (AP)
On the third night of the Democratic National Convention, Muslim Women for Harris issued a statement declaring their disbandment in protest to the Harris-Walz campaign's unwillingness to allow a Palestinian speaker on the main stage.
Vice President Kamala Harris declared her acceptance of the Democratic candidacy for president on Thursday on the final day of the Democratic National Convention, calling for an end to the war on Gaza and the battle against tyranny everywhere.
Following many protests by pro-Palestine supporters dissatisfied with the DNC disallowing pro-Palestine speakers at the convention, Harris made a commitment to protect "Israel", release the captives from Gaza, and put an end to the war.
Members of the Uncommitted National Movement staged a demonstration outside the United Center in Chicago, where the final events of the Democratic National Convention are being held. Ilhan Omar spent some time at the rally, while Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez participated via FaceTime. The sit-in occurred after the anti-war organization was informed that a Palestinian would not be permitted to speak on the main stage; before then, it was unclear if such a speech would take place.
The movement did so after the convention's organizers refused to allow a Palestinian American to speak at the event on Thursday.
Delegates were joined by thousands of others who protested the decision and the war on the Gaza Strip, according to the American public broadcaster National Public Radio (NPR).
“VP Harris chose a Beyoncé song that starts with ‘Freedom, freedom’ — freedom for who? Freedom for Palestinian voices to be on the stage?” - @TheConsciousLee and faith leaders at our press conference this morning. #NotAnotherBomb pic.twitter.com/amk7JiY4Sk
— Uncommitted National Movement 🌺 (@uncommittedmvmt) August 23, 2024
During the sit-in, Muslim Women for Harris abandoned their support for the Democratic nominee.
The group revealed that it cannot "in good conscience continue Muslim Women for Harris-Walz, in light of this new information from the Uncommitted movement, that VP Harris' team declined their request to have a Palestinian American speaker take the stage at the DNC."
Uncommitted was in support of the campaign inviting the family of Israeli captive Hersh Goldberg-Polin to speak on Wednesday, however, the organization advocated for a comparable platform for Palestinians.
According to the Uncommitted statement, the Democratic party was urged to ensure "Palestinian voices are heard on the main stage" citing that although they are in strong support of the Israeli captives' families speaking, the movement "also strongly hope that we will also be hearing from Palestinians who’ve endured the largest civilian death toll since 1948."
During the Democratic convention, appeals for a ceasefire were received with cheers from the audience. Nonetheless, others claim the party's endorsements have been disappointing.
According to the statement released by Muslim Women for Harris, the Israeli captive's family showed more empathy toward Palestinian Americans and Palestinians than Kamala or the DNC has.
“This is a terrible message to send to Democrats. Palestinians have the right to speak about Palestine.”
Harris' support for 'Israel' further splits Democratic party
These events come at a crucial time when Vice President Kamala Harris attempts to assert the party's unity over her candidacy for the upcoming presidential election.
However, the development has led multiple organizations supporting Harris' nomination to issue statements condemning the denied speech at the convention.
Among these organizations was the United Auto Workers (UAW), a union that represents more than 400,000 active members. The union stressed that the party "must allow a Palestinian American speaker to be heard from the DNC stage tonight."
"If we want the war in Gaza to end, we can’t put our heads in the sand or ignore the voices of the Palestinian Americans in the Democratic Party," the statement read.
"If we want peace, if we want real democracy, and if we want to win this election, the Democratic Party must allow a Palestinian American speaker to be heard from the DNC stage tonight," the UAW added.
The Muslim Women for Harris-Walz group also said that it would disband after the declined speaker request.
"This is a terrible message to send to Democrats," the group explained. "Palestinians have the right to speak about Palestine," it asserted.
The Israeli war on Gaza has been ongoing for more than 320 days, where the Israeli occupation has committed numerous war crimes and acts of genocide against the Palestinian people.
Despite clear evidence, Washington has consistently refused to acknowledge Israeli war crimes or acts of genocide during this period. Instead, the Biden-Harris administration has awarded the Israeli regime all possible military, logistical, and diplomatic aid.
