Activists in this critical midwestern battleground are rallying Michigan residents to vote “uncommitted” in protest, aiming to pressure Biden to reconsider his support for Israel…reports Asian Lite News
Michigan’s upcoming presidential primary, set for Tuesday, is poised to affirm Republican Donald Trump’s dominance while potentially revealing vulnerabilities for Democratic leader Joe Biden regarding the Gaza conflict. AFP’s report suggests that despite facing no significant opposition, Biden’s support among crucial demographics like Muslims and Arab Americans has waned due to escalating civilian casualties in the Israel-Hamas conflict, a bloc pivotal in Biden’s narrow 2020 victory over Trump in Michigan.
Activists in this critical midwestern battleground are rallying Michigan residents to vote “uncommitted” in protest, aiming to pressure Biden to reconsider his support for Israel and advocate for an immediate ceasefire. Layla Elabed of the “Listen to Michigan” campaign underscores the disillusionment felt by voters who perceive Biden’s backing of Israel as contributing to the devastation of war. The campaign seeks to gather 10,000 “uncommitted” votes to send a potent message against war funding, echoing the values of the Democratic Party.
Despite Biden’s apparent path to the Democratic nomination, activists emphasise the critical impact of “uncommitted” votes, citing Michigan’s pivotal role in the 2020 election, where a slim margin secured Biden’s victory. Meanwhile, there is a concerning rise in civilian casualties in both Israel and Gaza, prompting urgent calls for action to halt the violence.
White House officials have portrayed Biden as frustrated with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Still, US weapons have continued to flow to Israel, even as efforts continue to broker a second pause in fighting, AFP reported.
The New York Times reports on mounting disillusionment among Arab American communities in Michigan, with Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud emphasising the devastating impact of US-backed airstrikes on Gaza. As the primary approaches, the significance of Michigan’s electoral outcome reverberates across party lines, shaping the trajectory of US policy towards the Middle East and beyond.
Meanwhile on the Republican side, Trump has swept the early voting states and Michigan is not expected to interrupt his march to the nomination.
Trump did not name Haley in his victory speech on Saturday and talked about unity in the Republican party and restoring global respect for America, which is a theme that he taps often, along with shutting the border to migrants.
Haley made clear in her speech, she is not giving up. “I said earlier this week that no matter what happens in South Carolina, I would continue to run. I’m a woman of my word,” she said. “I’m not giving up this fight when a majority of Americans disapprove of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden.”