"Untested" leaders initiate a protest session after Democrats dismiss their plea for a speech opportunity at the convention
Co-founder Abbas Alawieh, who rose to prominence during the Democratic presidential primary, aimed to rally protest votes against the Biden administration's backing of Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza following the October 7 attacks. On Wednesday night, a convention official phoned Alawieh and stated, "I'm sorry, Abbas, but it's a no."
Alawieh, a Michigan delegate yet to commit to a candidate, sat on the concrete outside the United Center after receiving the rejection, surrounded by images of Kamala Harris. He vowed to stay put until the vice president and convention organizers reconsidered their position. Shortly after, other uncommitted delegates joined him, followed by Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar and eventually, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who offered support on social media and urged the DNC to rethink their decision.
Movement leaders presented additional demands, which included imposing an arms embargo on Israel, but were promptly dismissed by Democratic leaders. Before addressing reporters, Alawieh called for a moment of silence, reflecting on his youth in Southern Lebanon during Israeli bombings.
"Our government's objective is to eliminate individuals like me," he choked up, growing emotional.
Alawieh chose not to protest publicly but rather collaborated with the Democratic Party hierarchy and contacted convention organizers and the Harris campaign. He argued that his group could help convince Democrats to offer them a platform in Chicago.
"I'm an insider. I play the game," asserted Alawieh, who previously worked for former Michigan Rep. Andy Levin and served on Capitol Hill during the January 6, 2021, insurrection. (Alawieh reiterated repeatedly that his group had no intentions of supporting or aiding Donald Trump's campaign.)
He deemed the decision to bar his uncommitted movement from addressing the media as infuriating and devastating, especially after numerous discussions with organizers and the Harris camp.
On Monday, the Democratic National Committee approved a panel within the formal convention area, focusing on Palestinian and Arab matters. The group hailed it as a minor victory but continued their crusade for a more prominent stage.
The recent surge in enthusiasm for Harris's campaign, along with frustration among activist groups due to President Joe Biden's decision to maintain arms shipments to Israel, has resulted in a puzzling divide in Chicago, where grievances have led to daily protests outside the convention. Although there has been little change in Gaza, some prominent progressive organizations, peace activists, and Palestinian and other Arab American activists initially viewed Harris favorably, as she empathized with the bloodshed undertaken. So far, over 40,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in Gaza, as per the enclave's health ministry.
Earlier in the day, less than an hour before the Goldberg-Polin family addressed the convention as Israeli American hostage parents, Alawieh praised the DNC's decision to grant them a speaking opportunity.
"We wholeheartedly endorse" the family being given a platform, Alawieh proudly declared before their speech. "We are delighted to see that the DNC is taking this step. As Democrats, we know that our party's platform includes specific language recognizing that Israeli and Palestinian lives are equally valued."
Later, speaking to reporters, Alawieh referred to his seated position inside the United Center, contemplating the 109 hostages still trapped in Gaza while considering the lives of thousands of Gazan children.
"I could have been one of those children," he said repeatedly. "President Biden, Vice President Harris, what are we discussing? We are talking about children."
CNN's Veronica Stracqualursi contributed to this report.
Alawieh expressed his frustration towards the Democratic leaders, stating, "I find it infuriating and devastating that my uncommitted movement was barred from addressing the media after numerous discussions." Furthermore, the politics surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continued to be a significant topic of discussion among activist groups during the convention.
