Staff Reports
Looks like Vice President Kamala Harris is feeling the heat from a surprisingly loud coalition of Muslim and Arab-American community leaders, young progressives, and other assorted voices who are unhappy with her recent call for a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza. One group affectionately dubbed “Abandon Biden” has gone so far as to say her words “meant nothing.” Ouch! That’s like getting schooled by your own fan club.
During a recent rally in Phoenix, Harris found herself interrupted by some pro-Palestinian hecklers, who seemed to take a page right out of the “How to Ruin a Political Event” handbook. As she tried to explain her and President Biden’s commitment to negotiating a ceasefire and addressing the hostage situation, one can imagine the groans of frustration from her campaign staff. Harris insisted that she respected the voices around her (probably the same ones that shout at her in public), but she soon turned back to the topic everyone wants to talk about: her own 2024 campaign.
Apparently, this verbal tango was no match for the Abandon Biden group, which pounced on her lack of originality. They chided her repetitive statements, suggesting that her answers are nothing but a tired mantra at this point. It’s like watching a broken record skip on a particular tune, except the audience is just sitting there, rolling their eyes and wondering if the DJ will ever play something new.
“You need to earn our vote. And you can only do that by shifting away from President Biden's current policy on Gaza.”
That’s what @uncommittedmvmt has to say to Vice President Kamala Harris. Lead organizer Layla Elabed (@pali_watermelon) spoke to AJ+ about the UNM’s demands. pic.twitter.com/B5T3hX4Buy
— AJ+ (@ajplus) August 11, 2024
As if the heckling wasn’t enough, Harris found herself facing another set of complaints when she was called out for her lukewarm platitudes concerning the civilian casualties from the recent violence. While she did acknowledge that “far too many civilians have been killed,” it didn’t sit well with her critics, who were eager to point out that paying lip service to civilian suffering while allowing Israel to continue its “defense” campaigns isn’t exactly a compelling argument for peace. This group of dissenters, who seem to grow bolder each day, is insisting that real change is required—perhaps a new playlist?
The calls to action don’t stop there. Other activist groups, like the Muslim Delegates and Allies Coalition and the Coalition for Peace, Relief and Equity, are demanding more from Harris, citing that 500,000 student votes are at stake. They plan on making noise at the upcoming Democratic National Committee meeting in Chicago, ensuring that Harris can’t ignore them forever. Their message? They want real policies, not just feel-good statements that make them feel warm and fuzzy inside.
Interestingly enough, as Biden has continued his staunch support for Israel—while providing military aid even amidst the humanitarian crisis in Gaza—Harris has managed to avoid much of the fallout. But as the 2024 election looms closer, she might not be able to hide behind his shadow for much longer. If she wants to attract voters (especially the younger crowd), she’ll need more than just recycled statements and vague promises. After all, as the political atmosphere heats up, those ear-splitting voices of dissent are unlikely to fade into the background.
