During a recent news conference in Chicago, a pro-Palestinian activist group expressed its desire for increased representation at the Democratic National Convention to address the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Uncommitted National Movement, a leading organizer of protests, emphasized the importance of having a Palestinian American voice present at the convention.
The group has been advocating for Democrats to vote 'uncommitted' in state presidential party primaries as a means to urge President Joe Biden to support a ceasefire in Gaza. Despite discussions on humanitarian issues related to Gaza at the convention, the Uncommitted National Movement highlighted the absence of a Palestinian American main stage speaker on the DNC agenda.
Abbas Alawieh, a spokesperson for the Uncommitted National Movement, emphasized the critical need for their voices to be heard, stating, 'We hope that the DNC and the vice president’s team, who we’re also working with, will hear our central demand: Stop sending bombs.'
The group has engaged in dialogues with Vice President Kamala Harris's representatives to address their concerns, which include calling for an American arms embargo on Israel. Alawieh underscored the importance of halting the supply of weapons to Israel as part of their efforts to bring about a resolution to the conflict in Gaza.