Muslim Women for Harris-Walz has disbanded due to ongoing disregard from the Democratic National Committee (DNC), despite their key support for the 2020 election campaign.
At a Glance
- Muslim Women for Harris-Walz disbands due to perceived neglect by the DNC.
- The DNC rejected a speaker slot for a Palestinian American, sparking controversy.
- Uncommitted delegates staged sit-ins and pressured the DNC for representation.
- Ruwa Romman, a proposed speaker, felt deeply slighted by the exclusion.
Muslim Women for Harris-Walz Disbands Over DNC Neglect
Muslim Women for Harris-Walz, a group that robustly supported the Biden-Harris ticket in the 2020 election, has chosen to disband. This decision comes after enduring what they identify as consistent neglect from the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The catalyst for their dissolution was the DNC’s refusal to allocate a speaker slot for a Palestinian American representative at major gatherings. The members felt their voices and concerns were not taken seriously, prompting them to end their association.
In the lead-up to and during the Democratic National Convention, controversy erupted over the DNC’s decision to deny a Palestinian American speaker a slot on the main stage. The pro-Palestinian delegates, frustrated with President Joe Biden’s handling of Israel’s war in Gaza, protested outside the convention hall. Despite their best efforts, their request for representation was declined, causing discontent among various voter factions.
'Muslim Women For Harris-Walz' Group Disbands Following DNC Neglect, Speaker Slot Refusal https://t.co/2Xy2ibfwBV #OAN
— One America News (@OANN) August 22, 2024
Uncommitted Delegates and Their Efforts
The group that emerged as a critical proponent in the controversy was the Uncommitted National Movement. This collective of delegates, who initially found the Harris campaign more receptive to their issues compared to Biden’s, staged a sit-in and launched a last-minute pressure campaign to secure a speaker slot at the convention. Despite these efforts, including proposing Ruwa Romman, a Democratic member of the Georgia House of Representatives, their appeals were ignored.
“This was supposed to be the symbolic bare minimum ask,” said Romman, expressing her frustration over the exclusion. She intended to highlight Palestinian suffering and galvanize support for the Harris-Walz ticket, rather than criticize the Biden administration. Her potential inclusion was seen as a unifying act for many voters. “We understand that we can’t change policy in a single election cycle. This was supposed to be an easy way for the party to unite us on this issue. A lot of people care about this.”
The situation was further exacerbated when the DNC permitted family members of an Israeli American hostage to speak, while ignoring the Palestinian American delegation. This contradictory stance upset many voters, complicating Harris’s efforts to win over Arab and Muslim American constituents concerned about the Gaza conflict.
Repercussions for the Democratic Party
The decision to exclude Palestinian voices sent ripples through the political landscape, manifesting as tangible disbandment actions. Muslim Women for Harris-Walz’s members cited their inability to continue supporting the campaign in good conscience given the DNC’s actions. They released a strong statement declaring their disbandment in protest. “We 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.”
Bernie Sanders, a well-known figure in the party, echoed the frustrations during his DNC speech by demanding an “immediate cease-fire” in front of massive cheers.
The complex dynamics at the convention have left a lasting impact. With protests occurring outside and voices within the party feeling marginalized, voter support may be affected in future elections. The potential ripple effect signifies a need for introspection within the Democratic Party if it aims to maintain its “big tent” appeal by embracing diverse voices and concerns. This moment has become a pivotal point that could influence the party’s strategy and electoral outcomes in key states.
