Democrat Blasts Own Party Ahead of Kamala Harris’ Big Moment

Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib bashed her own party’s leadership after reports that the Democratic National Convention (DNC) denied a request from the “uncommitted” movement to have a Palestinian American speak on the final night of the Democrats’ national showcase.
Leaders of the Uncommitted National Movement—which led thousands of voters in the spring to cast uncommitted ballots in the Democratic primaries in protest of White House policies over the war in Gaza—say that they have negotiated with DNC leaders for weeks to allow a pro-Palestinian speaker to address party members and delegates in Chicago this week.
At some point late Wednesday, however, a DNC official told the progressive movement that the speaker request was denied. A sit-in was staged outside the DNC venue in response by uncommitted delegates and pro-Palestinian activists.
Several Democratic lawmakers have since spoken out in support of the uncommitted delegates’ requests. New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday that “To deny that story is to participate in the dehumanization of Palestinians. The @DNC must change course and affirm our shared humanity.”
Tlaib, the first Palestinian American to serve in Congress, was even more critical of her party’s leaders Thursday evening, writing to X, “I know for a fact that the @DNC did not act in good faith and continue to lie about the negotiations. They are exposing themselves.”
Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar has also expressed support for the uncommitted delegates’ request, as has Texas Representative Greg Casar, who was seen speaking with protesters participating in the sit-in Thursday evening. In total, seven Congressional lawmakers have signed a letter addressed to the DNC and Vice President Kamala Harris urging to include a Palestinian speaker at the convention’s line up. The letter is also signed by over a hundred state and local officials.
The pushback from progressives comes ahead of Harris’ keynote speech Thursday night, where she will become the first Black and Asian American woman to accept a major political party’s nomination for president.
The Democratic Party has been fractured for months by the war in Gaza, where over 40,000 people have been died since Israel launched its military response to the Hamas attacks on October 7, according to reporting by the Associated Press.
Harris has faced pressure from leaders of the Uncommitted National Movement to go beyond calling for a ceasefire in the 10-month war by also considering a weapons embargo against Israel—the vice president’s campaign has said that she does not agree with ending Washington’s military aid to one of its closet allies in the Middle East.
On the sidelines of the DNC Thursday, Harris campaign advisor Ian Sams was asked by CNN’s Wolf Blitzer if he believes that pressure from the uncommitted movement could hurt the vice president’s chances in some key swing states this November, such as Michigan, which has a significant Arab-American presence.
“They have a right to have their voice heard, and we’ve been proud in this convention to engage them through dedicated conversations and meetings,” Sams said, pointing out that Harris met with leaders of the Uncommitted National Movement prior to hosting a rally in Detroit earlier this month.
When asked by Blitzer why a Palestinian-American was “denied a speaking slot” at the DNC, Sams said, “Well, I think we’ve given them a lot of opportunities to engage in this process at the convention.”
A panel of pro-Palestinian activists was held on Monday as part of the DNC, during which a group of uncommitted delegates and other supporters put additional pressure on Harris’ office to adopt policies that align with their demands. Organizers said it was the first time a Palestinian panel had been allowed at the convention.
“We’re of course continuing to engage with the group and make sure that the vice president’s position on this issue is heard and that their voices are heard and reflected in our convention,” Sams continued while speaking to CNN.
The Uncommitted National Movement spoke with reporters at a press briefing Thursday evening, prior to delegates aligned with the movement entering the building where the DNC is taking place. The group shared photos to X writing that their delegates “peacefully entered the arena hand in hand.” In another post, the group said that its “leaders are surrounded by press and Democrats who left their seats to stand with us in the DNC hallway. Like most Democrats, we want peace.”
“We will not back down. We will make space for us in there. We will be back,” Sabrene Odeh, an uncommitted delegate for Washington, told reporters at the press briefing.
Newsweek reached out to Harris’ campaign for additional comment via email.
Update 08/22/24, 8:55 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information and background.
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