Pro-Palestinian group Opposing Biden Re-election Agenda Announces New Name After Harris Nomination
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According to a report by Fox News on Saturday, August 24, 2024, the pro-Palestinian group previously known as “Abandon Biden” has rebranded itself as “Abandon Harris” in response to the Democratic Party’s nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
The group, which has been vocal in its opposition to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, especially regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, announced on Friday that it would shift its focus to opposing Harris in the upcoming presidential election.
The organization, which first gained attention during President Joe Biden’s administration, has accused both Biden and Harris of supporting policies that contribute to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In a statement released by the group, they emphasized that their mission is now “laser-focused on exposing and opposing Kamala Harris and her complicity in genocide.” The group’s statement did not elaborate on specific actions or policies attributed to Harris but stressed that they would continue to mobilize under the same banner, with their efforts now directed against the current Democratic nominee.
“We call on all people of conscience to join us in holding the Democratic Party accountable for the bloodshed in Gaza,” the statement read. The group’s leaders have been critical of what they perceive as the Democratic Party’s unwavering support for Israel, accusing the party of turning a blind eye to the suffering of Palestinians.
The group’s name change follows a series of moves by pro-Palestinian activists to distance themselves from the Democratic Party, which has traditionally enjoyed strong support from Arab-American and Muslim-American voters.
Many of these voters have grown increasingly frustrated with what they see as a lack of meaningful action by Democratic leaders to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The rebranding to “Abandon Harris” suggests that the group sees Harris as a continuation of Biden’s policies, which they believe have failed to bring about any significant change in U.S. foreign policy in the region.
This development comes as the Democratic Party faces growing dissent from within its own ranks over its stance on Israel. Progressive members of Congress have been increasingly vocal in their criticism of U.S. military aid to Israel and have called for greater support for Palestinian rights. However, these voices have often been overshadowed by the party’s leadership, which continues to reaffirm its commitment to Israel’s security.
The “Abandon Harris” movement is likely to further complicate Harris’s path to the White House, as she already faces challenges in unifying the Democratic base and appealing to independent voters.
While the group is relatively small, its activism could have an outsized impact in key battleground states with significant Arab-American populations, such as Michigan and Pennsylvania. In these states, even a small shift in voter sentiment could prove decisive in a close election.
Moreover, the rebranding of “Abandon Biden” to “Abandon Harris” highlights the difficulties Harris faces in distinguishing herself from her predecessor while maintaining the support of the broader Democratic coalition.
The group’s decision to target Harris directly suggests that they believe she will continue Biden’s policies without significant changes. This perception could hurt Harris’s chances of consolidating support from voters who are dissatisfied with the current administration’s handling of the Middle East conflict.
The “Abandon Harris” group has not provided specific details on how they plan to mobilize voters against Harris, but they have hinted at organizing protests, rallies, and social media campaigns in the run-up to the November election.
The group’s efforts could also lead to increased pressure on Harris to articulate a clearer stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a topic she has largely avoided addressing in depth on the campaign trail.
As the election season heats up, it remains to be seen how much influence the “Abandon Harris” movement will have on the broader electorate. However, their rebranding underscores the growing discontent among certain segments of the Democratic Party’s base, which could pose a significant challenge for Harris as she seeks to build a winning coalition in November.
