Pro-Palestinian Delegates Denied Speaking Opportunity at Democratic Convention

Abbas Alawieh, an uncommitted delegate from Michigan, expressed his frustration outside the United Center, where the Democratic convention will wrap up on Thursday. He shared his disappointment after their request for a speaking slot was denied.

“We were hopeful because Vice President Harris’s team had been engaging with us,” Alawieh told reporters. “We just want to be heard.”

The uncommitted delegates were chosen in state Democratic primaries earlier this year as a form of internal protest against U.S. support for Israel. Although President Joe Biden secured a strong majority of primary votes, pro-Palestinian activists encouraged voters to choose “uncommitted” and similar options in several states. This resulted in 30 delegates being sent to the convention in Chicago, out of a total of more than 2,400 delegates.

Alawieh criticized the rejection of their speaking request as “unacceptable.” He emphasized their determination to remain active in the political process, stating, “We’re not going anywhere before November. You’re not going to get rid of us. We’re going to engage the system.”

Following the denial of their request, Alawieh and three other uncommitted delegates began a sit-in outside the convention arena. They also claimed to have gathered signatures from nearly 250 Harris delegates supporting a ceasefire in Gaza.

The ongoing Middle East conflict has been a significant focus of protests outside the Democratic convention this week. On Monday, several thousand protesters marched by the United Center, though turnout was below organizers’ expectations. A smaller protest outside the Israeli consulate in Chicago on Tuesday led to clashes with police, resulting in 56 arrests. Another march is planned for Thursday evening.

Cook County, home to the largest Palestinian community in the U.S., has been a focal point for pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Despite hopes for a Palestinian-American politician to address the convention, a spokesman for the Uncommitted National Movement confirmed that their request for a speaking slot was rejected.