Janice R. Andrews
Jill Stein, the Green Party’s presidential nominee, faces slim chances of victory. However, her backers are pursuing a strategic goal: to prevent Vice President Kamala Harris from securing crucial states in her contest against former President Donald Trump. This tactic was openly discussed by Kshama Sawant, an ex-Seattle City Council member and activist, during a recent gathering.
Sawant, who leads the Workers Strike Back organization, identified Michigan as a critical battleground. She stated, “While winning the presidency isn’t feasible for us, we could potentially block Kamala Harris from claiming Michigan,” stressing the importance of rallying supporters.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has sparked discontent among Michigan’s Arab American voters, a significant demographic for Harris. A Dearborn rally attracted over 1,000 people protesting U.S. weapons shipments to Israel, with attendees holding Harris and President Biden responsible for the conflict’s intensification.
Trump is actively seeking support from these disillusioned voters. He’s received endorsements from local figures like Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib and is reaching out to Arab and Muslim communities through intermediaries such as Massad Boulos. Nevertheless, many Arab American leaders continue to oppose Trump, citing his previous policies, including the controversial travel ban affecting several Muslim-majority countries.
Sawant’s comments highlight the potential significance of third-party voters in a tight electoral contest, particularly in swing states like Michigan.
