Many Latino and Muslim Americans were expected to vote uncommitted or simply stay home, predicted community leaders – Photo Sunita Sohrabji
Calls for a Cease Fire in Gaza Dominate Super Tuesday
By Sunita Sohrabji
The movement to vote “uncommitted” — which aims to pressure President Joe Biden into calling for an immediate and permanent cease fire in Gaza — loomed large as voters in 15 states headed to the polls on Super Tuesday March 5.
The uncommitted movement emerged during Michigan’s primary Feb 27: while Biden handily won his race there, over 113,000 voters in the state voted uncommitted. The movement is led by Layla Elabed, Michigan Rep Rashida Tlaib’s younger sister. Tlaib is a Democrat.
The movement has gained traction across multiple ethnicities. Manuel Ortiz Escámez, founder and director of Peninsula 360 Press wrote an op-ed Feb 26 urging the city council of Redwood City, California to sign a resolution calling for an immediate cease fire in Gaza.
Latino Support
“At Peninsula 360 Press, we join in the demand of the Jewish, Palestinian, and Latin American communities and other residents of Redwood City to halt the genocide of the Palestinian people by the government of Israel, with the financial support of the United States,” wrote Escámez. He noted that 30,000 people, including thousands of children, have been killed since the war began Oct 7.
In an interview with Ethnic Media Services on the eve of Super Tuesday, Escámez said: “You won’t see many Latinos at the vigils or the demonstrations, maybe just one or two.”
“We may not be participating actively, but we are talking a lot about it. Latin America has a history of US intervention, and this is a topic that is always on our minds,” he said. On a recent reporting project, Escámez went to upstate Northern California to talk with farm workers. “We talked about politics, and the conversation turned to Gaza,” he said.
Young People Disappointed
“People do not support Hamas. They see it as a totalitarian regime. But they do not support Zionists either. We condemn what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been doing in Gaza for many years.”
“This conflict could make a lot of people not vote. They are very disappointed. But they will not vote for Donald Trump; they will just stay home,” said Escámez. “Young people especially are very sad about what is happening in Gaza.”
Muslim Margin of Victory
About 29,000 Palestinians live in California, the majority in Los Angeles and San Mateo, which neighbors Redwood City. Escámez says he hears stories everywhere of people who have lost their entire family in the conflict. “As immigrants, we share their feelings,” he said.
The Council of American Islamic Relations launched a robocall campaign March 4, urging Muslim Americans in Super Tuesday states to exercise their right to vote. As a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, CAIR cannot recommend candidates, nor can it take a position on any race. The robocall stated: “It is crucial to exercise your right to vote. No matter whom you decide to vote for, your voice matters. Make a difference. Be heard. Cast your vote on Tuesday, March 5.”
‘Genocide Unfolding’
CAIR estimates there are more than 2.2 million Muslim American voters in the US. Their impact may be felt in what is predicted to be a very tight Presidential election Nov 5.
Hussam Ayloush, CEO of CAIR California, told EMS his organization aims to educate Muslim Americans about the voting process, and has set up campaigns to register voters and get out the vote.
“American Muslims are extremely motivated to participate, considering they are witnessing a genocide unfold, supported by their taxpayer money. We have a moral mandate to do something about it,” said Ayloush, noting he was speaking for himself, and not on behalf of CAIR.
Temporary Cease Fire
“American Muslims have never been single-issue voters. There are so many issues that concern us: the economy, taxes, education.”
“But this is the first time in history that American Muslims will vote on this single issue. People are very angry about the mass murder of Palestinian children, supported with our dollars. The administration continues to oppose a permanent cease fire,” said Ayloush.
Vice President Kamala Harris March 3 called for a temporary 4-6 week cease fire during Ramadan, which begins March 10. But Ayloush scoffed at Harris’ suggestion. “A temporary break in a genocide is outrageous. She is basically saying that after 6 weeks, Israel can continue with is slaughter.”
“Someone must have the moral clarity to say: ‘We must permanently end this genocide,’” said Ayloush. – Ethnic Media Services
