Uncommitted Delegates’ Deadline for Palestinian Speaking Slot at DNC Passes

Uncommitted delegates staging a sit-in outside the Democratic National Convention in Chicago gave the party a deadline to allow a pro-Palestinian speaker on the main stage for the final night of programming, which has now passed.
The protest began outside the United Center Wednesday night, with a small group call the Uncommitted National Movement sitting on the sidewalk expressing their desire to be heard equally with pro-Israel speakers.
Following support from New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, a growing list of Democrats and liberal groups have voiced their concerns at the omission of Palestinian voices during this week’s convention.
“Our shared values of justice, inclusion, and human dignity compel us to speak out on behalf of those whose voices are often silenced or marginalized,” a group of 118 Democrat voices from various levels of local, state and federal government said in a letter to the DNC.
“The pain and suffering of hostage families have been rightfully highlighted and acknowledged on national platforms. We believe that it is equally important to create space for the Palestinian experience, which has been marked by decades of hardship, loss, and displacement.”
The group said it had set a deadline of 6 p.m. CT Thursday for the DNC to make a change to the program. That deadline has now passed without reaction from party officials.
Earlier on Thursday, a group called “Muslim Women for Harris-Walz” decided to disband over the decision not to include a Palestinian speaker in the line-up, while the parents of a man being held hostage by Hamas had spoken Wednesday night.
Georgia State Rep. Ruwa Romman, a Palestinian-American and Democrat, is the one hoping to make a speech as part of Thursday night’s event, which is now underway.
It was reported that DNC leadership had offered a speaking slot but the UNM turned down the opportunity. This was denied by Michigan congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, who posted on X, formerly Twitter, saying that the DNC “did not act in good faith and continue to lie about the negotiations.”
Earlier, Romman said in posts on X that she had been touched by the support from followers and did want to unite behind Harris.
“I want to cut through the noise and remind everyone that those who attend conventions are the strongest supporters of our party,” Rep. Romman posted. “The majority of attendees have been wearing ceasefire pins, keffiyehs, and/or Palestinian flags. It’s been beautiful and I need folks to remember that.”
In its letter to the DNC, the group said it wanted to defeat Donald Trump and secure a brighter future for the country, but that depended on including a diverse range of voices.
A source with knowledge of the DNC’s planning told Newsweek that the committee provided several opportunities for speakers on Arab/Palestinian issues to make make their voices heard, including panel discussions that featured leaders from the Uncommitted movement.
The party’s 2024 platform also promises to work on an effective two-state solution, arguing that President Biden has worked to support Israel in defending itself against Hamas following the Oct. 7 attack, while also wanting “meaningful progress and a political horizon” for Palestinians.
Romman has previously said that Harris has an opportunity to distance herself from the current administration’s policies focused on supporting Israel in its offensive in Gaza.
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