Muslim women for Harris disbands, withdraws support after DNC snubs Palestinian speaker
Muslim group backing Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election announced Wednesday that it will disband over her campaign’s alleged refusal to allow a Palestinian speaker on stage at the Democratic National Convention. PHOTO:Shutterstock
On the third night of the Democratic National Convention, the group Muslim Women for Harris announced its disbandment and withdrawal of support for Kamala Harris’s campaign.
The decision came after the Harris-Walz campaign refused to allow a Palestinian speaker on the main stage, despite protests from the Uncommitted National Movement, which had organized a sit-in outside the convention.
Ilhan Omar joined the sit-in, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez participated via FaceTime.
The Uncommitted delegates had called for a Palestinian speaker, arguing that while the family of Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin was given a platform, similar representation for Palestinians was denied.
Muslim Women for Harris criticised the campaign's refusal, stating, “We cannot in good conscience continue Muslim Women for Harris-Walz” given the exclusion of Palestinian voices. They highlighted the contrast between the empathy shown to Israeli hostages' families and the lack of support for Palestinian perspectives.
The Democratic National Convention has faced criticism for not fully addressing calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and not providing a platform for Palestinian voices. The convention is taking place in Chicago, which has a significant Palestinian community.