Abbas Alawieh and other delegates from the Uncommitted National Movement staged a sit-in outside the Democratic National Convention in Chicago to protest the party’s refusal to allow a Palestinian American speaker on the main stage. The movement emerged in response to President Joe Biden’s support for Israel’s war in Gaza, with demands for an immediate ceasefire and arms embargo on Israel. Despite the rejection of their request for a speaker, the movement aims to bring attention to Palestinian human rights issues and challenge US support for Israel. Progressive lawmakers like Rashida Tlaib and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have voiced support for the delegates, highlighting the need for Palestinian representation in the Democratic Party. The Chicagoland Palestinian community, one of the largest in the US, also called for inclusion on the national stage. The United Auto Workers union supported the call for a Palestinian speaker, emphasizing the importance of recognizing Palestinian voices in the antiwar movement. As tensions rise over US policy towards Israel, activists stress the need for unity and civic engagement to push for social justice and address the ongoing crisis in Gaza. The exclusion of Palestinians from the convention stage has sparked outrage and highlighted the challenges faced by advocates for Palestinian rights within the Democratic Party.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
