Uncommitted National Movement

{{main|Gaza war|Gaza genocide|Gaza war protests in the United States}}

File:March for Gaza IMG 5292 (53464956724).jpg in January 2024]]

On October 7, 2023, Hamas and allied militants invaded and attacked southern Israel, killing almost 1,200 people, and taking more than 250 hostages. Following this, Israel retaliated by imposing a total blockade on Gaza, heavily bombing it, and invading it.{{cite web |title=October 7 Crimes Against Humanity, War Crimes by Hamas-led Groups |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/07/17/october-7-crimes-against-humanity-war-crimes-hamas-led-groups |website=hrw.org |publisher=Human Rights Watch |access-date=16 January 2025}}{{cite web |title=Gaza Strip in maps: How a year of war has drastically changed life in the territory |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-20415675 |website=bbc.com |publisher=BBC |access-date=16 January 2025}} In its response, Israel killed over 45,000 people and displaced almost two million as of January 2025, in what was alleged to be a genocide.{{cite web |title=Amnesty International investigation concludes Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/12/amnesty-international-concludes-israel-is-committing-genocide-against-palestinians-in-gaza/ |website=amnesty.org |publisher=Amnesty International |access-date=13 February 2025}}{{cite web |title=Reported impact snapshot; Gaza Strip (8 January 2025) |url=https://www.ochaopt.org/content/reported-impact-snapshot-gaza-strip-8-january-2025 |website=ochaopt.org |publisher=UN OCHA |access-date=16 January 2025}} President Joe Biden's support of Israel drew criticism from pro-Palestinian protestors in the United States, and led to the disillusionment of some voters.{{cite web |title=Inside the Democratic rebellion against Biden over the Gaza war |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/inside-democratic-rebellion-against-biden-over-gaza-war-2024-02-27/ |website=reuters.com |publisher=Reuters |access-date=22 August 2024}}

{{excerpt|Uncommitted (voting option)}}

Other voting options similar to uncommitted include "None of These Candidates", "noncommitted delegate", "no preference", and others.{{cite news |title=The Three Kinds of Biden Protest Voters |work=The New York Times |date=19 March 2024 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/03/19/us/elections/biden-uncommitted-vote-democrats.html |access-date=22 August 2024 |quote=In the analysis, “uncommitted” refers to a named option on the Democratic primary ballot labeled as “uncommitted” or a similar option such as “no preference,” “noncommitted delegate,” or “none of these candidates.” |last1=Zhang |first1=Christine }}

{{main|2024 Michigan Democratic presidential primary}}

File:Tell-Biden-Count-Me-Out-For-Genocide.png

The movement initially started as a campaign called "Listen to Michigan". Michigan has the highest number of Arab-Americans in the United States, many of whom were sympathetic to Palestinians, and activists were seeking to protest Biden's handling of the war in the 2024 Michigan Democratic presidential primary. At the time, the campaign aimed to receive 10,000 uncommitted votes and pressure Biden to call for a ceasefire.{{cite web |title=How the uncommitted vote against Biden's Gaza policy is going national |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/18/how-the-uncommitted-vote-against-bidens-gaza-policy-is-going-national |website=aljazeera.com |publisher=Aljazeera |access-date=22 August 2024}}

Waleed Shahid, a Democratic strategist, had previously written a memo saying that if anti-war activists utilized protest votes, it could "politicize and electoralize discontent", gaining them greater attention and funding. Co-founders Layla Elabed and Abbas Alawieh, Shahid, and others used "a shoestring budget and a few weeks of intense on-the-ground work" to spread awareness about the uncommitted option ahead of the upcoming primary vote. Progressive groups such as Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and Our Revolution helped the campaign canvass and email voters. Elabed's sister, Palestinian-American Representative Rashida Tlaib, endorsed the campaign, along with former representative Andy Levin and local officials.{{cite news |title=How the uncommitted movement rocked Biden over Gaza |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/17/us-uncommitted-voters-biden-gaza |website=The Guardian |date=17 March 2024 |access-date=22 August 2024 |last1=Leingang |first1=Rachel }} In February, the Detroit Metro Times endorsed the campaign.{{cite web |author1=Metro Times editorial staff |title=Metro Times endorses ‘uncommitted’ in 2024 presidential primary |url=https://www.metrotimes.com/news/metro-times-endorses-uncommitted-in-2024-presidential-primary-35461327 |publisher=Detroit Metro Times |access-date=29 September 2024 |date=15 February 2024}}

The campaign received over 100,000 votes (13.2%){{cite web |title=Election Results |url=https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/votehistory/Index?type=C&electionDate=2-27-2024 |website=mvic.sos.state.mi.us |publisher=Michigan Secretary of State |access-date=13 February 2025}} and two delegates in the primary. It was mostly supported by young Arab-American voters and progressives.

{{wide image|Uncommitted vote percentage in the 2024 Democratic Party presidential primaries.svg|500px|Uncommitted vote percentage in the 2024 Democratic Party presidential primaries}}

File:Uncommitted mass call.png

The movement spread nationally as campaigns inspired by Listen to Michigan emerged in other states.{{cite web |title='Uncommitted' movement spreads to Super Tuesday states |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/03/06/1236295096/super-tuesday-results-uncommitted-biden-gaza-israel |website=npr.org |publisher=NPR |access-date=22 August 2024}}

Uncommitted campaigns were quickly organized in Super Tuesday states, most notably in Minnesota, North Carolina, Colorado and Massachusetts. In Minnesota specifically, activists had $20,000 to spend and were organizing to reach voters, seeing success with Arab-American voters in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area.{{cite web |title=Aljazeera |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/6/minnesotas-stunning-uncommitted-vote-reveals-enduring-problem-for-biden |website=aljazeera.com |access-date=22 August 2024}}{{cite web |title=Where Minnesota's uncommitted vote was the strongest |url=https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/03/06/where-minnesotas-uncommitted-vote-was-the-strongest/ |website=minnesotareformer.com |date=6 March 2024 |publisher=Minnesota Reformer |access-date=22 August 2024}} Uncommitted in Minnesota received about 45,000 votes and 11 delegates.{{cite web |title="Uncommitted" wins 11 delegates in Minnesota Democratic primary |url=https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/03/06/uncommitted-minnesota-democratic-delegates |website=axios.com |publisher=Axios |access-date=23 August 2024}} Additionally, Uncommitted campaigns received 12.7% of the vote in North Carolina, 9.4% in Massachusetts, 8.1% in Colorado, 7.9% in Tennessee, 6% in Alabama, and 3.9% in Iowa.{{cite web |title=Super Tuesday results: How did 'uncommitted' perform on ballots across the country? |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/03/05/super-tuesday-uncommitted-vote-states/72858017007/ |website=usatoday.com |publisher=USA Today |access-date=23 August 2024}} "No preference" received one delegate in Massachusetts.{{cite web |title=DNC delegate tracker 2024: Counting the 'uncommitted' voters undermining Biden |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/presidential/3032411/dnc-delegate-tracker-2024-counting-uncommitted-voters-undermining-biden/ |website=washingtonexaminer.com |date=7 June 2024 |publisher=Washington Examiner |access-date=23 August 2024}} One day after Super Tuesday, Uncommitted received 29% of the vote and seven delegates in Hawaii.

On March 18, Listen to Michigan announced it would launch the "Uncommitted National Movement", an umbrella campaign for Uncommitted movements that advocated for a ceasefire. The movement began to focus on the Wisconsin primary and the Democratic National Convention (DNC).

Uncommitted received 13.2% in the Democrats Abroad primary.{{cite web |title=Democratic Presidential Primary: Democrats Abroad Results 2024 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/election/2024/primaries-and-caucuses/results/democrats-abroad/democratic-presidential-primary |website=CNN |publisher=CNN |access-date=23 August 2024}}

In Washington State, the "Uncommitted WA" campaign advocated for an Uncommitted vote early in March, in collaboration with Listen to Michigan activists. The campaign was endorsed by the largest union in the state, United Food and Commercial Workers 3000; a Seattle chapter of the American Federation of Teachers; and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP).{{cite web |title='Uncommitted' voters in Washington primary hope to keep pressuring Biden on Israel's war in Gaza |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/uncommitted-voters-washington-primary-hope-pressuring-biden-israels/story?id=108007158 |website=abcnews.go.com |publisher=ABC News |access-date=23 August 2024}} In Seattle, The Stranger newspaper endorsed voting uncommitted in the Washington Democratic presidential primary.{{cite web |author1=Stranger Election Control Board |title=The Stranger Endorses Uncommitted Delegates for the March 12, 2024 Presidential Primary Election |url=https://www.thestranger.com/elections-2024/2024/02/27/79404892/the-stranger-endorses-uncommitted-delegates-for-the-march-12-2024-presidential-primary-election |publisher=The Stranger |access-date=29 September 2024 |date=27 February 2024}} Uncommitted ultimately received almost 90,000 votes, 9.81% of the vote, and two delegates from the Seattle area.{{cite web |title=WA to send two "uncommitted" delegates to the Democratic National Convention |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/wa-to-send-2-uncommitted-delegates-to-democratic-national-convention/ |website=seattletimes.com |date=22 March 2024 |publisher=The Seattle Times |access-date=23 August 2024}}{{cite web |title=March 12, 2024 Presidential Primary Results |url=https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20240312/president-democratic-party.html |website=results.vote.wa.gov |publisher=Washington Secretary of State |access-date=23 August 2024}}

File:Vote Uncommitted Maryland sign 001.jpeg

File:June Rose, a Jewish uncommitted delegate from Rhode Island, speaks outside the Democratic National Convention at United Center Thursday Aug. 22, 2024 in Chicago (53944758089).jpg

Uncommitted received 10.3% of the vote in Kansas;{{cite news |title=Kansas Democratic Primary Election Results |work=The New York Times |date=19 March 2024 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/03/19/us/elections/results-kansas-democratic-presidential-primary.html |access-date=23 August 2024}} 11.7% in Missouri, winning three delegates from the St. Louis area;{{cite web |title=Biden cruised to victory in Missouri's primary, but some Democrats remain 'uncommitted' |url=https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2024-03-27/biden-cruised-to-victory-in-missouris-primary-but-some-democrats-remain-uncommitted |website=kcur.org |date=27 March 2024 |publisher=KCUR |access-date=23 August 2024}} 11.6% in Connecticut;{{cite web |title=Democratic Presidential Primary: Connecticut Results 2024 |url=https://www.cnn.com/election/2024/primaries-and-caucuses/results/connecticut/democratic-presidential-primary |website=cnn.com |publisher=CNN |access-date=16 January 2025}} and 14.5% in Rhode Island, winning one delegate.{{cite web |title=Rhode Island's 'uncommitted' vote secures a DNC delegate |url=https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2024/04/11/rhode-islands-uncommitted-vote-secures-a-dnc-delegate/ |website=rhodeislandcurrent.com |date=11 April 2024 |publisher=Rhode Island Current |access-date=23 August 2024}}

"Listen to Wisconsin", a campaign supported by the national movement, garnered nearly 50,000 votes for "uninstructed", more than the margin Biden won the state by in 2020. The number of votes was double the number activists were trying to acquire.{{cite web |title=Wisconsin is latest US state to send 'uncommitted' message to Biden on Gaza |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/3/wisconsin-is-latest-us-state-to-send-uncommitted-message-to-biden-on-gaza |website=aljazeera.com |publisher=Aljazeera |access-date=22 August 2024}}

The "Listen to Maryland" campaign for Uncommitted received more than 56,000 votes, 9.72% of the vote.{{cite web |title='Uncommitted' earns just under 10% of Maryland Democratic presidential primary votes |url=https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2024-05-20/uncommitted-earns-just-under-10-of-maryland-democratic-presidential-primary-votes |website=wypr.org |date=20 May 2024 |publisher=WYPR |access-date=23 August 2024}} When initial results came in, a campaign organizer called for a ceasefire, an end to the war, and an arms embargo on Israel.{{cite web |title=50,000 'uncommitted' votes cast in Maryland in protest of Biden's response to war in Gaza |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/50000-uncommitted-votes-cast-in-maryland-in-protest-of-bidens-response-to-war-in-gaza/ |website=cbsnews.com |date=17 May 2024 |publisher=CBS News |access-date=23 August 2024}}

Uncommitted received 17.9% of the vote in Kentucky and eight delegates, the most of any state in the country.{{cite web |title=Kentucky Presidential Primary |url=https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/kentucky/?r=18559 |website=apnews.com |publisher=AP News |access-date=23 August 2024}}{{cite web |title=Why 18% "uncommitted" vote in Kentucky's primary is more about Biden than Gaza |url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article288664045.html |website=kentucky.com |publisher=Lexington Herald Leader }} These votes were believed to be mostly unrelated to Gaza as Uncommitted fared best in conservative areas, though some have linked it to young dissatisfaction and the war.{{Cite web |last=Horn |first=Austin |date=May 23, 2024 |title=Why 18% “uncommitted” vote in Kentucky’s primary is more about Biden than Gaza |url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article288664045.html |access-date=January 23, 2024 |website=Lexington Herald Leader}}

The "Uncommitted NJ" campaign was founded early in 2024 after a meeting between members of three DSA chapters, inspired by the result in Michigan. The campaign was able to collect 3,500 signatures, at least 100 in each district, to comply with election laws. It also received advice from Michigan and Wisconsin Uncommitted activists.{{cite web |title=Putting Palestine on the Ballot: An Interview with Uncommitted New Jersey Organizers |publisher=Democratic Left |url=https://www.dsausa.org/democratic-left/putting-palestine-on-the-ballot-an-interview-with-uncommitted-new-jersey-organizers/ |website=dsausa.org |access-date=30 January 2025}} Uncommitted ultimately received 9% of the vote and one delegate.{{cite news |title=New Jersey Primary Election Results |work=The New York Times |date=5 June 2024 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/06/04/us/elections/results-new-jersey-primary.html |access-date=23 August 2024}}

Some campaigns in southern states likely succeeded due to "Democrats in Name Only" (DINOs), registered Democrats that vote for Republicans. According to The New York Times, "unlike younger voters or Arab Americans, DINOs probably did not vote for Mr. Biden in 2020, nor are they likely to vote for him in November. Thus, their lack of support for him in the primaries has less significance for the general".

By the end of the primaries, Uncommitted had received over 700,000 votes and 37 delegates nationwide.{{cite web |title=Democratic Presidential Primaries and Caucuses 2024 |url=https://www.cnn.com/election/2024/primaries-and-caucuses/results/democratic-party/president?election-data-id=2024-PD&election-painting-mode=projection&filter-key-races=false&filter-flipped=false |website=cnn.com |publisher=CNN |access-date=12 September 2024}}{{cite web |title=The pro-Palestinian ‘uncommitted’ movement is at a standstill with top Democrats as the DNC begins |url=https://apnews.com/article/dnc-uncommitted-arab-american-palestinian-gaza-93f9edb25a602c95ee226bd2645e4298 |website=apnews.com |publisher=AP News |access-date=4 September 2024}} However, the state delegations for Kentucky, California, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania did not acknowledge dissenting delegates for Uncommitted or "Present". For example, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said, "We are proud to cast 56 votes for the next president of the United States, Kamala Harris!", while Kentucky had 59 delegates.{{cite web |title=Kentucky among states that ignored uncommitted delegates in DNC roll call vote |url=https://www.wkyufm.org/2024-08-22/kentucky-among-states-that-ignored-uncommitted-delegates-in-dnc-roll-call-vote |website=wkyufm.org |publisher=Kentucky Public Radio |access-date=4 September 2024}} By the start of the DNC, Uncommitted retained 30 delegates.{{cite web |title='Uncommitted' delegates bring Gaza-war message to Democratic convention |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/17/uncommitted-delegates-bring-gaza-war-message-to-democratic-convention |website=aljazeera.com |publisher=Aljazeera |access-date=22 August 2024}}

{{further|2024 Kamala Harris presidential campaign|2024 Democratic National Convention}}

After the Michigan primary, Biden administration officials met with Muslim and Arab-American community leaders, including Alawieh. Alawieh described the meetings as tense, and said that senior officials weren't able to deliver on their demands. Among the officials present were Stephen K. Benjamin, a senior advisor; Tom Perez, the director of the Office of Public Engagement; Jonathan Finer, principal deputy national security adviser; and USAID director Samantha Power.{{cite web |title=Biden officials meet with Muslim and Arab American community leaders in Michigan |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/biden-officials-meet-muslim-arab-american-community-leaders-michigan-rcna138105# |website=nbcnews.com |publisher=NBC News |access-date=21 September 2024}} Additionally, the co-chair of Biden's presidential campaign Mitch Landrieu said that it would continue talking to Uncommitted voters.{{cite web |title=Biden campaign co-chair reacts to 'uncommitted' votes in Michigan |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/02/28/1234633354/biden-campaign-co-chair-reacts-to-uncommitted-votes-in-michigan |website=npr.org |publisher=NPR |access-date=21 September 2024}}

When Harris became the nominee after Biden withdrew from the race, the movement became "cautiously optimistic" that she would change policy on Israel due to her sympathetic rhetoric. Harris briefly met Elabed and Alawieh at a rally in Michigan, where they told her the movement would like to support her, but that they wanted an arms embargo on Israel first. They requested a meeting on the topic, and Harris seemingly accepted. However, Philip H. Gordon, one of Harris's national security advisors, clarified that she did not support an embargo.{{cite web |title=Leaders of the movement that protested Biden on Israel express some hope on Harris |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/08/12/nx-s1-5060109/israel-gaza-uncommitted-michigan-harris |website=npr.org |publisher=NPR |access-date=22 August 2024}}

In early August, it was reported that the Harris campaign had met with Arab-American leaders and activists, as well as Uncommitted allies, in Michigan. Harris's campaign manager Julie Chávez Rodriguez met individually with activists in Metro Detroit, including Osama Siblani, publisher of the Arab American News. During the meeting between Chávez Rodriguez and Siblani, Chávez Rodriguez agreed with Siblani that "the killing has to stop", but Siblani questioned how, saying there was no plan. Harris herself met with Abdullah Hammoud, the mayor of Dearborn, Michigan, the city with the largest Arab-American population in the United States, to discuss the war and her policy.{{cite web |title=The pro-Palestinian 'uncommitted' movement is at a standstill with top Democrats as the DNC begins |url=https://apnews.com/article/dnc-uncommitted-arab-american-palestinian-gaza-93f9edb25a602c95ee226bd2645e4298 |website=apnews.com |publisher=AP News |access-date=22 August 2024}} On August 4, 29 Uncommitted delegates from eight states took part in a virtual roll call where they cast unofficial votes in honor of Palestinians killed in Gaza, including "children, medical workers, journalists, families, and other civilians" according to a delegate.{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Chris|date=August 7, 2024 |title=In Roll Call Vote, Uncommitted Delegates Choose Palestinian Victims Over Harris |url=https://truthout.org/articles/in-roll-call-vote-uncommitted-delegates-choose-palestinian-victims-over-harris/ |publisher=Truthout |access-date=September 18, 2024}}

File:Uncommitted delegates, Meryem Maameri and Asma Mohammed both of Minnesota, lock arms as they enter the Democratic National Convention Thursday Aug. 22, 2024 in Chicago (53941360857).jpg

During the DNC, the Uncommitted delegates were allowed to hold a Palestinian human rights panel, where they and others discussed the war and Harris's position on it.{{cite web |title=Palestinian Human Rights Panel Debuts at the DNC |url=https://prospect.org/politics/2024-08-20-dnc-palestinian-human-rights-panel-debuts/ |website=prospect.org |publisher=The American Prospect |access-date=22 August 2024}} On the second day of the convention, during the in-person ceremonial roll call of delegates, dozens of delegates voted "Present" in protest.{{cite web |last1=Karnopp |first1=Hope |title=Wisconsin cast 94 votes for Harris, and one 'present' at DNC. What does that mean? |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/08/22/why-one-wisconsin-delegate-voted-present-during-the-dnc-roll-call/74904124007/ |publisher=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |access-date=September 18, 2024 |date=August 22, 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Chris |title=Uncommitted Delegates Say They "Have a Duty to Serve" Their Constituents |url=https://truthout.org/articles/uncommitted-delegates-say-they-have-a-duty-to-serve-their-constituents/ |publisher=Truthout |access-date=September 18, 2024 |date=August 20, 2024}}

On the third day, the DNC officially rejected the movement's request for a speaker of Palestinian descent. In response, the delegates staged a sit-in outside the convention, calling for a Palestinian speaker. Progressive Congressional bloc "The Squad" and the United Auto Workers union supported the movement's demand.{{cite news |title=Advocates for Palestinians Vie for Attention at Democratic Convention |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/22/world/middleeast/palestinian-uncommitted-democratic-national-convention.html |access-date=22 August 2024 |last1=Livni |first1=Ephrat }}{{cite web |title=Muslim Women for Harris-Walz disbands after Palestinian speaker denied a slot at DNC |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/08/22/muslim-women-harris-walz-disbands/74901820007/ |website=usatoday.com |publisher=USA Today |access-date=22 August 2024}} Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Summer Lee visited the sit-in, while Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez interacted with the delegates via FaceTime. Some activists stayed at the sit-in overnight and into day four of the convention.{{cite news |title=Uncommitted holds sit-in outside Democratic convention after Palestinians denied a speaker |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/22/democratic-national-convention-uncommitted-delegates-protest-palestine |website=The Guardian |access-date=22 August 2024 |last1=Leingang |first1=Rachel }} A group called "Muslim Women for Harris-Walz" disbanded after the decision, saying it "cannot in good conscience continue".{{cite web |title=Muslim Women for Harris-Walz disbands in uproar after Palestinian speaker refused slot at DNC |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/muslim-women-harris-walz-dnc-palestine-gaza-b2600102.html |website=independent.co.uk |publisher=Independent |access-date=22 August 2024}} The DNC did not meet the movement's deadline of 6 pm CDT to allow a speaker. According to Elabed, party officials said the day had to be about Harris's speech and nomination. Shahid said the movement rejected other meetings the campaign had offered them with congressional officials and staff. The movement then demanded that Harris or a senior campaign official have an in-person conversation with its leaders by September 15.{{cite news |title=Democratic convention fails to meet uncommitted delegate deadline for Palestinian speaker |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/22/uncommitted-movement-deadline-delegates-democratic-convention-protest |work=The Guardian |access-date=August 23, 2024 |last1=Leingang |first1=Rachel |last2=Roth |first2=Andrew }} The movement also said that Harris's speech didn't shift policy from Biden's stance, with one delegate saying her call for Palestinian self-determination was incompatible with continued arms transfers to Israel.{{cite web |title=Harris remarks, DNC snub leave pro-Palestinian activists fuming |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4845063-gaza-war-protesters-harris-dnc/ |work=The Hill |access-date=August 24, 2024}}

After the convention, the movement sent a letter to Harris and her advisors calling for a ceasefire and contact with people affected by the war, also expressing discontent at the refusal of a Palestinian speaker. Harris's team responded by saying the movement didn't request any specific engagements.{{cite web |title= Uncommitted movement declines to endorse Harris – but warns against Trump presidency |url= https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/19/harris-uncommitted-movement-declines-endorse |publisher=The Guardian |access-date=19 September 2024}}

After the deadline passed without a meeting, on September 18, the movement issued a statement saying that it would not endorse Harris because of her "unwillingness to shift on unconditional weapons policy or to even make a clear campaign statement in support of upholding existing U.S. and international human rights law".{{cite web |last1=Ward |first1=Myah |title=‘Uncommitted’ group won’t endorse Harris as she swings through Michigan |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/19/uncommitted-no-endorsement-harris-third-party-trump-00180002 |website=Politico |access-date=22 September 2024}} However, it said that voters should not support Trump or third-party candidates. In response, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign said that Harris would try to earn peoples' votes and secure a ceasefire.{{cite web |title='Uncommitted' movement doesn't endorse Harris, but asks supporters to vote against Trump |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/09/19/g-s1-23736/uncommitted-movement-no-endorsement-harris-trump-2024 |publisher=NPR |access-date=19 September 2024}}

The movement's founders were not invited to a meeting between Arab-Americans and Harris on October 4.{{cite web |title=In Michigan, Harris meets Arab American leaders angry over Israel |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/harris-meet-arab-american-leaders-flint-michigan-friday-sources-say-2024-10-04/ |website=reuters.com |publisher=Reuters |access-date=5 October 2024}} On October 8, in messages posted across all its social media channels, the group came out firmly against Trump. The group argued that a Trump presidency would be worse than Harris, highlighting his strong embrace of Netanyahu in his first term and arguing Trump had "effectively dismantled any pathway to Palestinian self-determination". The group also highlighted far-right proposals in Project 2025 and comments made by pro-Israel Trump allies David M. Friedman, Jared Kushner, and Miriam Adelson.{{Cite news |last=Weisman |first=Jonathan |date=October 8, 2024 |title=Pro-Palestinian 'Uncommitted' Group Comes Out Firmly Against Trump |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/08/us/politics/palestine-uncommitted-trump.html |access-date=October 8, 2024 |archive-date=October 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008171628/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/08/us/politics/palestine-uncommitted-trump.html |url-status=live |issn=0362-4331}} Massachusetts Uncommitted, breaking from the group, endorsed a third-party vote, saying "given the choice between genocide and fascism, we choose neither".{{cite web |title=Rejecting Trump and Harris on Gaza, Massachusetts Uncommitted recommends third-party vote, splitting from national group |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/11/04/metro/mass-uncommitted-movement-third-party-gaza/ |website=bostonglobe.com |publisher=Boston Globe |access-date=2 February 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241104225152/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/11/04/metro/mass-uncommitted-movement-third-party-gaza/ |archive-date=November 4, 2024}}

Following Trump's victory in the presidential election, Alawieh emphasized that the "status quo is not a compelling message for voters". He voiced concerns about heightened surveillance and violence against Arab and Muslim Americans, criticizing the Democratic Party by stating, "I believe actually it's Democrats' fault for abandoning our party," and adding, "Donald Trump's playing us. Democrats are allowing him to play us".{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Jaclyn |date=2024-11-06 |title=The Uncommitted Movement speaks on Trump's victory |url=https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/the-uncommitted-movement-speaks-on-trumps-victory |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=WFYI Public Media |language=en-us}} Uncommitted activist and leader Lexis Zeidan said that the movement was not over under Trump. The group said that while organizing under Trump was an "uphill battle", it planned on continuing pressure on the government.{{cite web |title=‘The movement is not over’: leaders of Uncommitted look ahead at organizing during Trump term |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/10/uncommitted-movement-leaders-organizing-trump |website=theguardian.com |publisher=The Guardian |access-date=11 February 2025}}

File:2024 Michigan Presidential County Swings.svg

In the leadup to the election, multiple media outlets said that the movement's support, specifically in the swing state of Michigan, would hinder Democratic unity{{cite web |title=‘Uncommitted’ vote in Michigan a warning shot over Biden’s support of Israel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/28/michigan-uncommitted-vote-biden-israel-support |website=theguardian.com |access-date=14 October 2024}}{{cite web |title=Sizable ‘uncommitted’ vote in Michigan ignites debate among Democrats |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/02/28/uncommitted-vote-michigan-ignites-democratic-debate/ |website=washingtonpost.com |publisher=Washington Post |access-date=14 October 2024}} and increase Harris's chances of losing the election.{{cite web |title=Could the War in Gaza Cost Kamala Harris the Election? |url=https://www.newyorker.com/podcast/the-new-yorker-radio-hour/could-the-war-in-gaza-cost-kamala-harris-the-election |website=newyorker.com |publisher=The New Yorker |access-date=28 September 2024}}{{cite web |title=Could 'uncommitted' voters sway the election? |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/09/26/g-s1-24645/could-uncommitted-voters-sway-the-election |website=npr.org |publisher=NPR |access-date=28 September 2024}} The movement said Harris risked losing swing states such as Michigan, where Arab and Muslim voters "know firsthand the effects and the impact of American-funded bombing", if she did not support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and commit to stopping weapons shipments to Israel.{{cite web |title=Uncommitted delegates at DNC say Harris risks losing states unless Israel policy is changed |url=https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-815398 |website=jpost.com |publisher=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=28 September 2024}}

A Minnesota Uncommitted organizer argued that because of the movement, Harris began calling for a ceasefire in the war.{{Cite web |title=Trump's Gaza comments highlight tough choice for peace-supporting US voters |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/6/trumps-talk-on-gaza-highlights-stark-choice-for-voters-in-us-election |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} Ocasio-Cortez, in an interview with Stephen Colbert, praised the movement for "using this process to be seen" and not "giv[ing] way to cynicism".{{cite web |title=AOC says there's an 'upside' to the anti-Biden movement over Israel |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ocasio-cortez-uncommitted-campaign-joe-biden-israel-gaza-upside-2024-4 |website=businessinsider.com |publisher=Business Insider |access-date=20 September 2024}} When Biden halted a weapons shipment to Israel over the Rafah offensive, the movement said it was a step forward and that the anti-war movement had "propelled" such actions.{{cite web |title='Uncommitted' movement calls Biden's halt of some US weapons to Israel 'step forward' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4654882-uncommitted-movement-calls-bidens-halt-of-some-us-weapons-to-israel-step-forward/ |website=thehill.com |date=9 May 2024 |publisher=The Hill |access-date=22 August 2024}}

Analyses of the movement's success at the DNC differed. Shahid, in an opinion piece for Jacobin, argued that while the movement did not achieve its demands, it still succeeded by receiving support from the Democratic base. However, an opinion piece in The Nation said that the convention was an "undeniable disappointment" for the movement, as they had only secured the human rights panel.{{cite web |title=Why the Uncommitted Movement Was a Success at the DNC |url=https://jacobin.com/2024/08/uncommitted-movement-dnc-gaza-palestine |publisher=Jacobin |access-date=August 31, 2024}}{{cite web |title=Palestinians Will Speak Whether Democrats Want Them to or Not |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/activism/democrats-palestine-activism-future/ |publisher=The Nation |access-date=August 31, 2024}} The broader protest movement also faced divisions, with some activists saying the campaign was too tolerant with Harris and was "getting played".{{cite web |title=Where does the 'Uncommitted' movement go now? |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/news/where-does-the-uncommitted-movement-go-now/articleshow/112817549.cms |publisher=Business Insider |access-date=August 31, 2024}}

Some have argued that the movement's stance on the election was a soft endorsement of Harris. An opinion piece for MSNBC said that the statement criticized Harris's policy on Israel but encouraged people to vote for her. It also said that the stance was an admission that the movement was weak but wanted to influence Democratic policy.{{cite web |title=The Uncommitted Movement's weird quasi-endorsement of Kamala Harris, explained |url=https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/uncommitted-movement-harris-endorsement-trump-israel-gaza-rcna171833 |website=MSNBC.com |publisher=MSNBC |access-date=20 September 2024}} "Abandon Harris", an anti-Harris protest movement, said in a statement that the group wanted to endorse Harris, but couldn't, "because the community [it] claim[s] to represent would tear [it] apart".{{cite web |title=Uncommitted group declines to endorse Harris, but says it still opposes another Trump presidency |url=https://michiganadvance.com/2024/09/19/uncommitted-group-declines-to-endorse-harris-but-says-it-still-opposes-a-trump-presidency/ |website=michiganadvance.com |publisher=Michigan Advance |access-date=20 September 2024}} Former Michigan Senate leader Jim Ananich described it as "close to a win" for Michigan Democrats.{{cite web |title=Uncommitted movement declines to endorse Harris, but encourages against Trump, third-party votes |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/uncommitted-movement-declines-endorse-harris-encourages-trump-party/story?id=113845808 |website=abcnews.go.com |publisher=ABC News |access-date=20 September 2024}}

Michael Traugott, a Michigan-based political scientist, wrote in The Conversation that Biden and Harris's lack of outreach to Arab-American voters in Wayne County, where the greatest number of Uncommitted votes came from, helped shift Michigan right.{{cite web |title=Voters in Arab American strongholds likely tipped Michigan in Trump’s favor |url=https://theconversation.com/voters-in-arab-american-strongholds-likely-tipped-michigan-in-trumps-favor-242854 |website=theconversation.com |publisher=The Conversation |access-date=11 January 2025}} Some have connected Harris's struggles with Arab-American and Uncommitted voters with her broader underperformances with people of color.{{cite web |title=‘Blame yourself’: Trump’s election hasn’t dampened pro-Palestinian activists’ anger at Democrats |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/16/politics/pro-palestine-activists-trump-democrats/index.html |website=cnn.com |publisher=CNN |access-date=11 January 2025}} Leaders of the movement blamed Harris for not engaging with it and the community. Elabed said that Harris "chose the path of Liz Cheney and the donor class".{{cite web |title=Leaders of 'Uncommitted' and 'Abandon Harris' movements reflect on Trump's victory and early moves |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/leaders-uncommitted-abandon-harris-movements-reflect-trumps-victory-ea-rcna184849 |website=nbcnews.com |publisher=NBC News |access-date=11 January 2025}} CEO of Muslim advocacy group Emgage Action Wa'el Alzayat said that Harris would've had higher support if she signaled that she would break from Biden on Gaza, and added, "What kind of peace and freedom for the Palestinians are we going have under Mike Huckabee and Tulsi Gabbard? ... What kind of rights are pro-Palestinian students going to have?" Writer Camonghne Felix said in an opinion piece for argued that the movement succeeded by showing that Gaza was a mainstream issue, and said that Democrats' chances of gains in the 2026 elections were slim unless it pursued an end to the conflict.{{cite web |title=Uncommitted achieved its goal in making Gaza a mainstream issue |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/18/uncommitted-campaign-democrats-gaza-election |website=theguardian.com |publisher=The Guardian |access-date=11 January 2025}}

Democrats had mixed responses to the role of Uncommitted in the election, though many criticized it, claiming Trump was worse on the issue of Gaza. In response to a statement from Elabed blaming Harris for leaving a "vacuum" for Trump in Michigan, a former Harris aide called the movement "deeply unserious people" and "clowns". A former organizer for Harris however alleged that staff was directed to mark responses to emails about Gaza as "no response", saying "the only 'clowns' out there are those who were in senior leadership and decided to abdicate on this issue". Adam Jentleson, former chief of staff for Senator John Fetterman, said that "leaders of the uncommitted movement want to blame everyone but themselves for their disastrous strategy that helped elect Donald Trump".{{cite web |title='Uncommitted' leaders stand by 2024 strategy after Trump floats Gaza takeover |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/uncommitted-leaders-stand-2024-strategy-trump-floats-gaza-takeover-rcna190782 |website=nbcnews.com |publisher=NBC News |access-date=11 February 2025}} Senator Elissa Slotkin told the Washington Examiner that "I think anyone who trusted Trump to be a new and different actor on the Middle East was probably just not listening closely enough". Representative Jim McGovern deflected blame from the movement, saying "We don't have time to do the blame again".{{cite web |title=Democrats open old wounds against Uncommitted Movement over Trump’s Gaza plan |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/senate/3312087/democrats-open-old-wounds-against-uncommitted-movement-trump-gaza/ |website=washingtonexaminer.com |publisher=Washington Examiner |access-date=11 February 2025}} On social media, the group received backlash from Democrats for a post addressing the election results.{{cite web |title=Democrats Fume at ‘Uncommitted’ Movement Over Post-Election Statement: ‘Ask Jill Stein to Help?’ |url=https://www.mediaite.com/politics/uncommitted-movement-brutally-roasted-for-post-election-statement-ask-jill-stein-to-help/ |website=mediate.com |publisher=Mediaite |access-date=11 February 2025}}

• Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party
• Progressive Democratic Party
• National Democratic Party of Alabama
• 1964 Democratic National Convention
• 1968 Democratic National Convention

{{reflist}}

Category:2024 protests

Category:Gaza war protests in the United States

Category:Peace movement in the United States

Category:Political movements in the United States

Category:History of the Democratic Party (United States)

Category:Arab-American society

Category:Palestinian-American history

Category:Political history of Michigan

Category:2024 establishments in Michigan

Category:2024 in American politics