Front Burner

An undecided Palestinian Democrat in Michigan

In Michigan, the Biden-Harris administration’s support for the war in Gaza has angered many in the states’ large Arab and Muslim communities. Could it cost the Democrats the election?
A group of men and boys, some sporting keffiyeh, stand side by side outside holding signs that read "Vote uncommitted," "Stop the violence," Free Free Palestine," and "Ceasefire now!"
Supporters of the campaign to vote "Uncommitted" hold a rally in support of Palestinians in Gaza, ahead of Michigan's Democratic presidential primary election in Hamtramck, Michigan, U.S. February 25, 2024. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook (Rebecca Cook/Reuters)

In the Democratic presidential primaries in Michigan earlier this year, rather than voting for Joe Biden, more than 100,000 people marked "uncommitted" on their ballots. It was an anti-war protest, meant to send a message to Biden to make a permanent ceasefire happen in the war in Gaza — or risk losing those voters in November.

That campaign spread nationally. And while Biden is no longer the Democratic candidate, the Uncommitted movement is still going — even though it has garnered significant controversy.

Nowhere does this matter more than in Uncommitted's home state of Michigan. Not just because it's a key battleground where the election may be won on razor-thin margins, but also because Michigan's significant Arab and Muslim communities are crucial voting blocs in the state. 

Our guest today, Rima Mohammad, is a Palestinian-American from Michigan, and a lifelong Democrat. She was also a delegate representing the Uncommitted movement at the Democratic National Convention. She tells us about the disillusionment many Arabs and Muslims are feeling with Kamala Harris and her campaign, and why she worries the Democrats may have reached a "point of no return" with many in her community.

For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts

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