Michigan/US: In Michigan, where a large population of Arab Americans and Muslim Americans reside, presidential candidate of the Democratic Party Kamala Harris on Sunday pledged that she would do everything in her power to end the war in Gaza, The Guardian reported.
Michigan houses around 2,40,000 registered Muslim voters, and the majority of them chose Joe Biden in 2020. These votes backed Biden in gaining but a narrow victory over Republican Donald Trump.
However, the Biden administration’s stand on the Gaza war at the moment has served to dissatisfaction among the Muslim community there, and polling suggests that they are showing affinity towards Jill Stein, the Green party candidate.
As per the statistics in Michigan, a drop in voting numbers will be critical for both Harris and Trump. This has prompted Harris to make a clear appeal at the beginning of her speech.
She said that the Arab American community has deep and proud roots in Michigan, and the year has been difficult with the scale of death and destruction in Gaza, as well as the casualties and displacement in Lebanon.
“It is devastating, and as president, I will do everything in my power to end the war in Gaza, to bring home the hostages, end the suffering in Gaza, ensure Israel is secure and ensure the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, freedom, security and self-determination,” The Guardian quoted Vice President Harris.
Speaking at the Michigan State University campus, Harris said that America is ready for a fresh start and a new way forward where they see their fellow Americans not as an enemy but as a neighbour. They are ready for a president who know that the true measure of a leader is not based on who one beat down, but who they lift up, Harris added.