Muslim and Arab Communities in Michigan Rally for Change in Biden’s Israel Policy
In a small park just outside of Detroit, Michigan, a group of about 100 people gathered on Sunday to rally for a change in President Joe Biden’s policies on the Israel-Hamas war. The majority of the participants were from the Muslim and Arab communities, and they were determined to make their voices heard.
The protesters chanted “free, free, Palestine” in the hopes of persuading voters and sending a message to President Biden. Michigan state Rep. Abraham Aiyash, a well-known local politician and supporter of the “Listen to Michigan” campaign, joined the demonstrators. He emphasized the importance of using the ballot box to express dissatisfaction in a democracy.
The “Listen to Michigan” campaign aims to leverage a unique aspect of Michigan’s ballot system. Organizers are urging voters to choose the “uncommitted” option in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. This option serves as a symbolic “none of the above” choice and is intended to send a message to the White House that Biden should reconsider his stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The organizers believe that if enough people vote uncommitted, it could shift Biden’s politics and prevent him from losing Michigan in the general election. The state has become a closely contested battleground in recent elections, and Biden won Michigan in 2020 by a narrow margin of just 150,000 votes.
Wayne County, which includes Dearborn and Detroit and is a Democratic stronghold, has the highest percentage population of Middle Eastern or North African descent in the country. The uncommitted supporters hope to have a significant showing in this county and demonstrate that Biden’s stance on Israel can have consequences in the upcoming general election.
Layla Elabed, the campaign manager for Listen to Michigan, emphasized the political power of the Muslim and Arab communities in the state. She urged voters to leverage their voting bloc and vote uncommitted to make a statement. The campaign aims to have at least 10,000 people vote uncommitted, symbolizing the margin of victory for Trump in 2016. Some supporters are even more ambitious and hope to reach 15% of the total primary vote, which would give them a better chance of being heard at the Democratic National Convention.
President Biden has attempted to strike a balance between supporting Israel’s campaign against Hamas fighters and expressing sympathy for the lives lost in Gaza. However, his critics, including Arab and Muslim Americans, accuse him of being indifferent to their suffering and Israel’s military operation. Biden has privately met with some advocates and has recently become more vocal about his disagreements with Israel’s strategy.
Despite the Biden campaign’s efforts to reach out to the Muslim and Arab communities, there is still skepticism among Listen to Michigan supporters. They are not convinced of Biden’s intentions and believe that voting uncommitted is the best way to lobby for a change in his policies.
The movement has gained support from various organizations beyond the Muslim and Arab communities. The Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee and Our Revolution, a group inspired by Bernie Sanders’ 2016 campaign, have pledged their support for the uncommitted movement.
Listen to Michigan’s campaign has faced challenges in gaining momentum. Attendees at recent events have expressed disappointment in the organizers’ advertising efforts and attributed low attendance to burnout after months of protests. However, supporters believe that the real action will be seen in the voting booth.
The campaign’s diverse coalition includes individuals from different backgrounds who want to show solidarity with marginalized communities. Joseph Feinstein, a Jewish American, and Melina Herrera, a Latina, both expressed their commitment to voting uncommitted as a way to stand up against persecution and support their communities.
While Biden’s victory in Tuesday’s primary is almost certain due to the lack of major challengers, the size of the uncommitted vote will be closely watched. With over 1 million people voting in the last two Democratic primaries in Michigan, reaching the campaign’s goals of 10,000 votes or 15% of the total primary vote would be significant.
Some Democratic allies of Biden have emphasized that an uncommitted vote does not necessarily mean rejection of Biden in November. It signifies concerns and a desire for action. Voters like Rima Mohammad, a Palestinian American, want to see tangible progress from Biden and view the vote as a message to push for change.
The “Listen to Michigan” campaign draws inspiration from former President Barack Obama’s withdrawal from the primary in 2008 when Michigan held its contest out of order. Nearly 240,000 Michiganders voted uncommitted in support of Obama that year. If Listen to Michigan reaches its goals and secures at least one delegate, it will have a voice at the Democratic Party’s national convention this summer.
While critics argue that the uncommitted vote could benefit former President Donald Trump, supporters emphasize that their goal is not to help Trump but to lobby for Biden to course-correct his policies. They view it as an opportunity to advocate for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
The outcome of Tuesday’s primary will provide insights into the level of support for the Listen to Michigan movement. Regardless of the results, it is clear that the Muslim and Arab communities in Michigan are mobilizing and using their political power to push for change. Their voices will continue to be heard as they work towards creating a better future for their communities and advocating for justice in the Middle East.
