During the half-hour meeting, Harris expressed her concern on the scale of suffering in Gaza, and discussed efforts to end the war.
PHOTO: Reuters
October 04, 2024
MICHIGAN — US Vice-President Kamala Harris met with Arab American and Muslim leaders in Flint, Michigan, on Oct 4, as her presidential campaign seeks to win back voters angry at US support for Israel's wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
The meeting is one of several attempts in recent days to mend fences with Muslim and Arab voters, who resoundingly backed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020 but could withhold their votes from Harris in numbers that would cost her the key state of Michigan.
During the half-hour meeting, Harris expressed her concern on the scale of suffering in Gaza, civilian casualties and displacement in Lebanon and discussed efforts to end the war, according to a campaign official.
She also discussed efforts to prevent a regional war, the official added.
Wa'el Alzayat, chief executive of Emgage Action which recently endorsed her, said participants shared their deep disappointment with the US handling of the crisis and called on her to do everything in her power to end the war and reset US policy in the region.
"Emgage Action asked Vice-President Harris to impress upon President Biden the urgency of bringing an immediate end to the violence" in Gaza and Lebanon, Alzayat said.
"She agrees that this war needs to end."
Ed Gabriel, president of the American Task Force on Lebanon, said the meeting included a good "give and take" on the issues, including "the need for a ceasefire, and the support needed from the US and its allies to address the humanitarian crisis, the presidential leadership void in Lebanon, and the important role of the Lebanese Armed Forces".
"We heard a lot of compassion on her side. We'll see what happens," he said.
"This was a valuable two-sided exchange, and we made important progress in our relationship. We're going to continue to meet."
Other participants included Assad Turfe, deputy county executive of Wayne County, Michigan's most populous county.
Jim Zogby, founder of the Arab American Institute and a longtime member of the Democratic National Committee, said he declined the invitation.
Leaders from the Uncommitted National Movement protest campaign said they were not invited to the meeting.
Hala Hijazi, a longtime friend of Harris who has lost dozens of members of her family in Gaza, was unable to attend.
Harris, a Democrat, faces Republican former President Donald Trump on Nov 5 in what opinion polls show to be a tight presidential race.
Both candidates have roughly even levels of support among Arab Americans, according to a poll published this week by the Arab American Institute.
Harris' meeting on Oct 4 comes on the heels of other efforts by her team this week.
On Oct 3, her vice presidential pick, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, promised on a Zoom call with Muslim voters that Muslims would have an equal role in a Harris administration.
Harris' national security adviser, Phil Gordon, virtually met with leaders from the Arab and Muslim community on Oct 2 and said the administration supports a ceasefire in Gaza, diplomacy in Lebanon and stability in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Critics say Biden and Harris have done too little to stop Israel's military campaign in Gaza, while continuing to supply Israel with weapons to carry it out.
Some Arab Americans believe Harris' refusal to distance herself from President Biden's policies in the Middle East, as Israel escalates its attacks, will cost her in November.
"Harris is going to lose Michigan," said Ali Dagher, a Lebanese American attorney and community leader.
"I will not be voting for Kamala Harris. No one I know will vote for her. I cannot find a single person in the community who supports her."
Earlier in the day, in Redford Township, Michigan, outside of Detroit, Harris celebrated the union deal that ended a major port strike.
She spoke at a fire station whose workers are represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters, which on Oct 3 declined to make a presidential endorsement.
The event was designed to show Harris has support among the union's rank-and-file members, an aide said.
After the meeting with Arab American leaders, Harris appeared with United Auto Workers union President Shawn Fain in Flint and vowed support for Michigan's auto industry.
A spokeswoman for the Trump campaign said Harris is "putting a minimum of 37,000 auto jobs at risk by refusing to tell Michiganders if she still supports her proposed plan to ban all internal combustion engine cars by 2035".
In Michigan, Harris meets Arab American leaders angry over Gaza, Lebanon conflicts
Some warn mounting anger of Harris continued support for Israel could cost the Democrat the state with its large Arab American community
Today, 10:56 a
Democratic presidential nominee US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a rally at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Mich., Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
FLINT, Michigan — US Vice President Kamala Harris met with Arab American and Muslim leaders in Flint, Michigan, on Friday, as her presidential campaign seeks to win back voters angry at US support for Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
The meeting is one of several attempts in recent days to mend fences with Muslim and Arab voters, who resoundingly backed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020 but could withhold their votes from Harris in numbers that would cost her the key state of Michigan.
During the half-hour meeting, Harris expressed her concern on the scale of suffering in Gaza, civilian casualties and displacement in Lebanon and discussed efforts to end the war, according to a campaign official. She also discussed efforts to prevent a regional war, the official added.
Israel launched the war against Hamas in Gaza after the October 7 massacre which killed some 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. Harris has repeatedly said she supports a ceasefire in Gaza that will see the hostages released and ensure Israel’s security.
Israel stepped up its strikes on Hezbollah leaders in recent weeks and launched a limited ground operation in a bid to end the rocket fire on northern Israel that started on October 8th and allow tens of thousands of evacuated citizens to return to their homes in northern Israel.
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By signing up, you agree to the terms
Wa’el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage Action which recently endorsed her, said participants shared their deep disappointment with the US handling of the crisis and called on her to do everything in her power to end the war and reset US policy in the region.
“Emgage Action asked Vice President Harris to impress upon President Biden the urgency of bringing an immediate end to the violence” in Gaza and Lebanon, Alzayat said. “She agrees that this war needs to end.”
Abbas Alwieh, a Michigan uncommitted delegate, participates in a press conference outside the United Center before the Democratic National Convention Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Ed Gabriel, president of the American Task Force on Lebanon, said the meeting included a good “give and take” on the issues, including “the need for a ceasefire, and the support needed from the United States and its allies to address the humanitarian crisis, the presidential leadership void in Lebanon, and the important role of the Lebanese Armed Forces.”
“We heard a lot of compassion on her side. We’ll see what happens,” he said. “This was a valuable two-sided exchange, and we made important progress in our relationship. We’re going to continue to meet.”
Other participants included Assad Turfe, deputy county executive of Wayne County, Michigan’s most populous county.
Jim Zogby, founder of the Arab American Institute and a longtime member of the Democratic National Committee, said he declined the invitation. Leaders from the Uncommitted National Movement protest campaign said they were not invited to the meeting. Hala Hijazi, a longtime friend of Harris who has lost dozens of members of her family in Gaza, was unable to attend.
Harris, a Democrat, faces Republican former US president Donald Trump on November 5 in what opinion polls show to be a tight presidential race. Both candidates have roughly even levels of support among Arab Americans, according to a poll published this week by the Arab American Institute.
Harris’ meeting on Friday comes on the heels of other efforts by her team this week. On Thursday, her vice presidential pick, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, promised on a Zoom call with Muslim voters that Muslims would have an equal role in a Harris administration.
Harris’ national security adviser, Phil Gordon, virtually met with leaders from the Arab and Muslim community on Wednesday and said the administration supports a ceasefire in Gaza, diplomacy in Lebanon and stability in the West Bank.
Advertisement
Critics say Biden and Harris have done too little to stop Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, while continuing to supply Israel with weapons to carry it out.
Some Arab Americans believe Harris’ refusal to distance herself from President Biden’s policies in the Middle East, as Israel escalates its attacks, will cost her in November
Democratic presidential nominee US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a rally at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Mich., Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
FLINT, Michigan — US Vice President Kamala Harris met with Arab American and Muslim leaders in Flint, Michigan, on Friday, as her presidential campaign seeks to win back voters angry at US support for Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
The meeting is one of several attempts in recent days to mend fences with Muslim and Arab voters, who resoundingly backed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020 but could withhold their votes from Harris in numbers that would cost her the key state of Michigan.
During the half-hour meeting, Harris expressed her concern on the scale of suffering in Gaza, civilian casualties and displacement in Lebanon and discussed efforts to end the war, according to a campaign official. She also discussed efforts to prevent a regional war, the official added.
Israel launched the war against Hamas in Gaza after the October 7 massacre which killed some 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. Harris has repeatedly said she supports a ceasefire in Gaza that will see the hostages released and ensure Israel’s security.
Israel stepped up its strikes on Hezbollah leaders in recent weeks and launched a limited ground operation in a bid to end the rocket fire on northern Israel that started on October 8th and allow tens of thousands of evacuated citizens to return to their homes in northern Israel.
Get The Times of Israel's Daily Editionby email and never miss our top stories
Newsletter email addressGet it
By signing up, you agree to the terms
Wa’el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage Action which recently endorsed her, said participants shared their deep disappointment with the US handling of the crisis and called on her to do everything in her power to end the war and reset US policy in the region.
“Emgage Action asked Vice President Harris to impress upon President Biden the urgency of bringing an immediate end to the violence” in Gaza and Lebanon, Alzayat said. “She agrees that this war needs to end.”
Abbas Alwieh, a Michigan uncommitted delegate, participates in a press conference outside the United Center before the Democratic National Convention Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Ed Gabriel, president of the American Task Force on Lebanon, said the meeting included a good “give and take” on the issues, including “the need for a ceasefire, and the support needed from the United States and its allies to address the humanitarian crisis, the presidential leadership void in Lebanon, and the important role of the Lebanese Armed Forces.”
“We heard a lot of compassion on her side. We’ll see what happens,” he said. “This was a valuable two-sided exchange, and we made important progress in our relationship. We’re going to continue to meet.”
Other participants included Assad Turfe, deputy county executive of Wayne County, Michigan’s most populous county.
Jim Zogby, founder of the Arab American Institute and a longtime member of the Democratic National Committee, said he declined the invitation. Leaders from the Uncommitted National Movement protest campaign said they were not invited to the meeting. Hala Hijazi, a longtime friend of Harris who has lost dozens of members of her family in Gaza, was unable to attend.
Harris, a Democrat, faces Republican former US president Donald Trump on November 5 in what opinion polls show to be a tight presidential race. Both candidates have roughly even levels of support among Arab Americans, according to a poll published this week by the Arab American Institute.
Harris’ meeting on Friday comes on the heels of other efforts by her team this week. On Thursday, her vice presidential pick, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, promised on a Zoom call with Muslim voters that Muslims would have an equal role in a Harris administration.
Harris’ national security adviser, Phil Gordon, virtually met with leaders from the Arab and Muslim community on Wednesday and said the administration supports a ceasefire in Gaza, diplomacy in Lebanon and stability in the West Bank.
Advertisement
Critics say Biden and Harris have done too little to stop Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, while continuing to supply Israel with weapons to carry it out.
Some Arab Americans believe Harris’ refusal to distance herself from President Biden’s policies in the Middle East, as Israel escalates its attacks, will cost her in November
Eric Suter-Bull holds a Vote Uncommitted sign outside a voting location at Saline Intermediate School for the Michigan primary election in Dearborn, Michigan, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
“Harris is going to lose Michigan,” said Ali Dagher, a Lebanese American attorney and community leader. “I will not be voting for Kamala Harris. No one I know will vote for her. I cannot find a single person in the community who supports her.”
Earlier in the day, in Redford Township, Michigan, outside of Detroit, Harris celebrated the union deal that ended a major port strike.
She spoke at a fire station whose workers are represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters, which on Thursday declined to make a presidential endorsement. The event was designed to show Harris has support among the union’s rank-and-file members, an aide said.
After the meeting with Arab American leaders, Harris appeared with United Auto Workers union President Shawn Fain in Flint and vowed support for Michigan’s auto industry.
A spokeswoman for the Trump campaign said Harris is “putting a minimum of 37,000 auto jobs at risk by refusing to tell Michiganders if she still supports her proposed plan to ban all internal combustion engine cars by 2035.”
Arab American leaders urge Harris to ‘show distance’ from Biden’s Israel policy during private Michigan meeting
Gregory Krieg, Priscilla Alvarez, Khalil Abdallah, Donald Judd and Kylie Atwood,
In Michigan, Harris meets Arab American leaders angry over Israel
Democratic presidential nominee VP Kamala Harris travels to Michigan
Updated Fri, October 4, 2024
By Nandita Bose, Andrea Shalal and Jeff Mason
WASHINGTON/FLINT, Michigan (Reuters) -Vice President Kamala Harris met with Arab American and Muslim leaders in Flint, Michigan, on Friday, as her presidential campaign seeks to win back voters angry at U.S. support for Israel's wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
The meeting is one of several attempts in recent days to mend fences with Muslim and Arab voters, who resoundingly backed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020 but could withhold their votes from Harris in numbers that would cost her the key state of Michigan.
During the half-hour meeting, Harris expressed her concern on the scale of suffering in Gaza, civilian casualties and displacement in Lebanon and discussed efforts to end the war, according to a campaign official. She also discussed efforts to prevent a regional war, the official added.
Wa'el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage Action which recently endorsed her, said participants shared their deep disappointment with the U.S. handling of the crisis and called on her to do everything in her power to end the war and reset U.S. policy in the region.
"Emgage Action asked Vice President Harris to impress upon President Biden the urgency of bringing an immediate end to the violence" in Gaza and Lebanon, Alzayat said. "She agrees that this war needs to end."
Ed Gabriel, president of the American Task Force on Lebanon, said the meeting included a good "give and take" on the issues, including "the need for a ceasefire, and the support needed from the United States and its allies to address the humanitarian crisis, the presidential leadership void in Lebanon, and the important role of the Lebanese Armed Forces."
"We heard a lot of compassion on her side. We'll see what happens," he said. "This was a valuable two-sided exchange, and we made important progress in our relationship. We're going to continue to meet."
Other participants included Assad Turfe, deputy county executive of Wayne County, Michigan's most populous county.
Jim Zogby, founder of the Arab American Institute and a longtime member of the Democratic National Committee, said he declined the invitation. Leaders from the Uncommitted National Movement protest campaign said they were not invited to the meeting. Hala Hijazi, a longtime friend of Harris who has lost dozens of members of her family in Gaza, was unable to attend.
Harris, a Democrat, faces Republican former President Donald Trump on Nov. 5 in what opinion polls show to be a tight presidential race. Both candidates have roughly even levels of support among Arab Americans, according to a poll published this week by the Arab American Institute.
Harris' meeting on Friday comes on the heels of other efforts by her team this week. On Thursday, her vice presidential pick, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, promised on a Zoom call with Muslim voters that Muslims would have an equal role in a Harris administration.
Harris' national security adviser, Phil Gordon, virtually met with leaders from the Arab and Muslim community on Wednesday and said the administration supports a ceasefire in Gaza, diplomacy in Lebanon and stability in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Critics say Biden and Harris have done too little to stop Israel's military campaign in Gaza, while continuing to supply Israel with weapons to carry it out.
Some Arab Americans believe Harris' refusal to distance herself from President Biden's policies in the Middle East, as Israel escalates its attacks, will cost her in November.
"Harris is going to lose Michigan," said Ali Dagher, a Lebanese American attorney and community leader. "I will not be voting for Kamala Harris. No one I know will vote for her. I cannot find a single person in the community who supports her."
Earlier in the day, in Redford Township, Michigan, outside of Detroit, Harris celebrated the union deal that ended a major port strike.
She spoke at a fire station whose workers are represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters, which on Thursday declined to make a presidential endorsement. The event was designed to show Harris has support among the union's rank-and-file members, an aide said.
After the meeting with Arab American leaders, Harris appeared with United Auto Workers union President Shawn Fain in Flint and vowed support for Michigan's auto industry.
A spokeswoman for the Trump campaign said Harris is "putting a minimum of 37,000 auto jobs at risk by refusing to tell Michiganders if she still supports her proposed plan to ban all internal combustion engine cars by 2035."
(Reporting by Nandita Bose in Washington, Andrea Shalal in Flint, Michigan and Jeff Mason in Redford Township, Michigan; Additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Jonathan Oatis, Deepa Babington and Edwina Gibbs)
Harris meets with Arab American and Muslim leaders in Michigan
Alex Gangitano
Detroit Free Press
Fri, October 4, 2024
As Flint’s mayor, I have always put our community first, working to secure a brighter future for all our residents. Today, Vice President Kamala Harris is visiting Flint, and I am asking you to join me in supporting her for candidacy president of the United States. Harris has a vision for America that aligns with the values and needs of our nation. She is committed to policies that will foster growth, uplift working families and ensure justice for all. Her leadership represents a future where we not only recovers from the hardships of the past but thrives in the years to come.
As the father of two daughters, I know how critical it is to protect women’s rights. Health care, bodily autonomy and the freedom to make personal choices are cornerstones of our democracy. Harris has consistently shown that she will stand firm in defending these rights. She will be a champion for women, ensuring their freedoms are respected and protected under the law.
As the co-chair of the Michigan Black Mayors Association, I also believe that Kamala Harris’ platform for rebuilding the middle class will have a transformative impact on Flint.
Opinion: Donald Trump was better for the economy, Kamala Harris better for America
Kamala Harris will work to lift Flint families out of poverty
One policy I applaud is her proposal for a $6,000 tax credit for families with infants. This initiative is modeled after Flint's own Rx Kids program, which we proudly supported through federal American Rescue Plan Act funding. This program is a critical step toward closing health disparity gaps and lifting our families out of poverty. Harris has the foresight to scale this nationally, creating opportunities for all working-class families.
As a former union president, I know how vital good-paying jobs and economic security are to our community. Flint holds a special place in the history of the American labor movement — our city was the birthplace of the middle class, forged in the struggle of the Flint Sit-Down Strike and the rise of the United Auto Workers.
While deindustrialization dealt our community a heavy blow, we now have an opportunity to reclaim our role in America’s economic future. Kamala Harris has shown strong leadership on this front, helping to create policies that will bring jobs back to urban areas by reactivating brownfields, restoring our environment and fostering new economic opportunities.
Kamala Harris is committed to fighting injustice
As a Black man, husband, father and leader in this community, I’ve witnessed social injustice firsthand. For too long, bad actors have sought to divide our country, pitting neighbor against neighbor. Kamala Harris is committed to uniting us, fighting for equality and making the smart, compassionate choices needed to bring justice to every corner of America.
Opinion: Trump ranted. Harris looked presidential. Freep readers respond to 2024 election debate.
Her work as a former prosecutor and her role as vice president demonstrate her dedication to lifting up marginalized communities and ensuring that all Americans, regardless of race or background, are treated fairly and justly. The challenges we face in Flint and across this country are immense, but with the right leadership, we can overcome them.
That’s why I’m standing with Kamala Harris, and I urge all of you to listen to her message, hear her vision and consider what she can do for you and for America. Together, we can build better, stronger cities, and a more united nation.
Sheldon A. Neeley
The writer is the mayor of Flint
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Letters: Harris is committed to helping Flint's working clas
Gregory Krieg, Priscilla Alvarez, Khalil Abdallah, Donald Judd and Kylie Atwood,
CNN
Sat, October 5, 2024
In a side room backstage at a Friday campaign rally in Flint, Michigan, Arab American advocates asked Vice President Kamala Harris to break from President Joe Biden’s Israel policy and push harder for an end to the war in Gaza.
The conversation, scheduled to last 10 minutes, ended up going 20, according to Wa’el Alzayat, the CEO of Emgage Action, a group aimed at boosting the Muslim American vote. Harris did not make any promises, he said, but told them “that she also wants the war to end and that she will do all she can to work in this regard.”
“She pledged to work with our community, include our community, and (said) that she completely understands what we’re saying. She is hopeful that if she wins, she’ll be able to deliver on all of this once she’s president,” Alzayat told CNN.
Alzayat said he and other Arab American leaders in the room had been contacted and invited within the previous 48 hours. Their message to Harris was simple, he said. She needed “to show distance between how she would govern on this matter with the current administration policies, which we don’t agree with.”
The meeting came amid increasing frustration over Harris’ response to Israel’s recent escalations in Lebanon and concerns that her campaign was not willing to hear from critical voices. Harris is hamstrung, in part, because of her position: Vice presidents do not set US foreign policy. But as the ongoing Israel-Hamas war has expanded to a multifront conflict involving Iran, which launched missiles at Israel this week, and Iranian-backed groups in Lebanon and Yemen, prominent Arab American groups have been pushing for more.
Leaders at the meeting told Harris there is a critical need for both expanded evacuation efforts from Lebanon and immediate humanitarian aid for US citizens and the displaced families, one of the attendees told CNN.
Assad Turfe, a Lebanese American and the deputy executive of Wayne County, said the recently announced $157 million in US humanitarian aid relief for Lebanon is not enough — but that it is better than nothing.
“While this is still a drop in the bucket compared to what is truly needed, it’s a start, and this $157 million can make a difference if directed properly,” Turfe told CNN in a statement.
Turfe also shared his deeply personal connection to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
“In 2006, I lost both of my grandmothers to Israeli bombs during the conflict in Lebanon. Today, as the violence rages on in Lebanon and Gaza, my family is once again facing the horrors of war, with my uncle, his wife, and their children fleeing for their lives,” Turfe said.
Michigan, which Biden narrowly won in 2020, will be a crucial battleground again this November and is home to a large Arab American population. Emgage Action endorsed Harris last month while acknowledging “strong disappointment” with the Biden administration’s stance on Gaza.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Harris campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez were among the prominent Democrats in the room for Friday’s meeting, according to Alzayat, along with local elected officials and Edward Gabriel, the former US ambassador to Morocco who now runs the nonprofit American Task Force on Lebanon.
“We want her to push the president to end the war. We want her to commit to ending the war if she becomes president. We want her to speak directly to our communities about the pain and suffering,” Alzayat said he and other outside advocates told the vice president. “We want her and we want the administration to do a better job in providing assistance to American citizens who are trapped in Lebanon.”
The Harris campaign has not responded to CNN’s request for comment.
According to pool reports of the Friday gathering, a campaign official said that Harris “discussed her efforts to end the war in Gaza, such that: Israel is secure, hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, freedom, self-determination.”
“On Lebanon, the vice president expressed concern about civilian casualties and displacement, and reiterated the administration’s position that, ultimately, a diplomatic solution is the best path to achieve stability and protect civilians. The vice president also discussed efforts to prevent regional war,” the official said.
Absent from Friday’s guest list were leaders of the “Uncommitted” movement, which sprung up during the Democratic primaries this year in opposition to the Biden administration’s policy on the war in Gaza. Harris interacted with leaders of the group in early August during a photo line at the Detroit airport.
The group has called on the vice president to hold meetings with families affected by the war after her campaign and national Democrats denied the group’s previous request for a Palestinian American to speak during the Democratic convention in Chicago this summer.
Uncommitted leaders have since announced that their group will not endorse Harris, though they also warned against a vote for Donald Trump or, in states where they might appear on the ballot, third-party candidates.
Uncommitted movement co-founder Abbas Alawieh, a former Capitol Hill staffer, confirmed Friday that his group was not invited to the meeting with Harris.
In a social media post, Alawieh said he was “glad our pressure is helping yield more engagement. What we need right now is for the @VP to specifically say that as president she will respect international humanitarian and U.S. law and stop sending the Israeli military weapons for war crimes.”
James Zogby, a co-founder of the Arab American Institute and a Democratic National Committee member for more than 30 years who addressed the Uncommitted movement during the Chicago convention, told CNN he turned down an invitation to Friday’s meeting with Harris. He cited growing frustration with what he described as a campaign more concerned with optics than addressing the anger and anxiety among Arab American voters.
Zogby was part of a Wednesday call with Harris national security adviser Phil Gordon that the White House described as a virtual gathering with “Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian American community leaders” to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East.
“There was no ground broken. I wasn’t quite sure what the intent was other than to just say … that they met with leaders. There were no leaders,” Zogby said of the Wednesday conversation.
That call and other communications with the Harris campaign, and Biden’s before that, have irked the longtime Democratic pollster. And Israel’s escalation in Lebanon has also turned up the heat in states like Michigan, where Lebanese Americans have made up a major part of the Democratic coalition.
“With Lebanon in flames, they’ve got a bigger job. And I don’t think they’re ready to handle it,” Zogby said of the Harris campaign. “It’s sort of like trying to sell a car to somebody with terminal cancer. ‘What’re you talking for? I have bigger things on my mind right now.’”
Abed Ayoub, the national executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, said there have been “many meetings with both the campaign and administration. They know our concerns and demands.”
“Our position and work is focused on bringing an immediate ceasefire, and an end to the genocide in Palestine and the war on Lebanon,” said Ayoub, who noted that his group has nearly 130,000 active voters as members, including 7,500 in Michigan.
This week, Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, took the campaign’s pitch to Emgage Action’s “Million Muslim Votes: A Way Forward” summit.
“I know the pain of this community is deep. Our hearts are broken. The concern of the vice president and Harris and I - it’s on our minds every day. The scale of death and destruction in Gaza is staggering and devastating. Tens of thousands of innocent civilians killed, families fleeing for safety, over and over again,” Walz said at the virtual event.
Harris has occasionally been disrupted at campaign rallies by pro-Palestinian protesters. In those moments, the vice president, who has spoken about the devastation in Gaza, has stressed that the administration is working toward a ceasefire deal.
Zogby said Friday he “desperately” wants Harris to win but is concerned about the campaign’s efforts to stage-manage the issue.
“They have to say something about the issue that’s on people’s minds,” Zogby said, “and they just don’t seem able to bring themselves to talk about it.”
This story has been updated with additional information.
CNN’s Brian Rokus contributed to this report.
In Michigan, Harris meets Arab American leaders angry over Israel
Sat, October 5, 2024
In a side room backstage at a Friday campaign rally in Flint, Michigan, Arab American advocates asked Vice President Kamala Harris to break from President Joe Biden’s Israel policy and push harder for an end to the war in Gaza.
The conversation, scheduled to last 10 minutes, ended up going 20, according to Wa’el Alzayat, the CEO of Emgage Action, a group aimed at boosting the Muslim American vote. Harris did not make any promises, he said, but told them “that she also wants the war to end and that she will do all she can to work in this regard.”
“She pledged to work with our community, include our community, and (said) that she completely understands what we’re saying. She is hopeful that if she wins, she’ll be able to deliver on all of this once she’s president,” Alzayat told CNN.
Alzayat said he and other Arab American leaders in the room had been contacted and invited within the previous 48 hours. Their message to Harris was simple, he said. She needed “to show distance between how she would govern on this matter with the current administration policies, which we don’t agree with.”
The meeting came amid increasing frustration over Harris’ response to Israel’s recent escalations in Lebanon and concerns that her campaign was not willing to hear from critical voices. Harris is hamstrung, in part, because of her position: Vice presidents do not set US foreign policy. But as the ongoing Israel-Hamas war has expanded to a multifront conflict involving Iran, which launched missiles at Israel this week, and Iranian-backed groups in Lebanon and Yemen, prominent Arab American groups have been pushing for more.
Leaders at the meeting told Harris there is a critical need for both expanded evacuation efforts from Lebanon and immediate humanitarian aid for US citizens and the displaced families, one of the attendees told CNN.
Assad Turfe, a Lebanese American and the deputy executive of Wayne County, said the recently announced $157 million in US humanitarian aid relief for Lebanon is not enough — but that it is better than nothing.
“While this is still a drop in the bucket compared to what is truly needed, it’s a start, and this $157 million can make a difference if directed properly,” Turfe told CNN in a statement.
Turfe also shared his deeply personal connection to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
“In 2006, I lost both of my grandmothers to Israeli bombs during the conflict in Lebanon. Today, as the violence rages on in Lebanon and Gaza, my family is once again facing the horrors of war, with my uncle, his wife, and their children fleeing for their lives,” Turfe said.
Michigan, which Biden narrowly won in 2020, will be a crucial battleground again this November and is home to a large Arab American population. Emgage Action endorsed Harris last month while acknowledging “strong disappointment” with the Biden administration’s stance on Gaza.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Harris campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez were among the prominent Democrats in the room for Friday’s meeting, according to Alzayat, along with local elected officials and Edward Gabriel, the former US ambassador to Morocco who now runs the nonprofit American Task Force on Lebanon.
“We want her to push the president to end the war. We want her to commit to ending the war if she becomes president. We want her to speak directly to our communities about the pain and suffering,” Alzayat said he and other outside advocates told the vice president. “We want her and we want the administration to do a better job in providing assistance to American citizens who are trapped in Lebanon.”
The Harris campaign has not responded to CNN’s request for comment.
According to pool reports of the Friday gathering, a campaign official said that Harris “discussed her efforts to end the war in Gaza, such that: Israel is secure, hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, freedom, self-determination.”
“On Lebanon, the vice president expressed concern about civilian casualties and displacement, and reiterated the administration’s position that, ultimately, a diplomatic solution is the best path to achieve stability and protect civilians. The vice president also discussed efforts to prevent regional war,” the official said.
Absent from Friday’s guest list were leaders of the “Uncommitted” movement, which sprung up during the Democratic primaries this year in opposition to the Biden administration’s policy on the war in Gaza. Harris interacted with leaders of the group in early August during a photo line at the Detroit airport.
The group has called on the vice president to hold meetings with families affected by the war after her campaign and national Democrats denied the group’s previous request for a Palestinian American to speak during the Democratic convention in Chicago this summer.
Uncommitted leaders have since announced that their group will not endorse Harris, though they also warned against a vote for Donald Trump or, in states where they might appear on the ballot, third-party candidates.
Uncommitted movement co-founder Abbas Alawieh, a former Capitol Hill staffer, confirmed Friday that his group was not invited to the meeting with Harris.
In a social media post, Alawieh said he was “glad our pressure is helping yield more engagement. What we need right now is for the @VP to specifically say that as president she will respect international humanitarian and U.S. law and stop sending the Israeli military weapons for war crimes.”
James Zogby, a co-founder of the Arab American Institute and a Democratic National Committee member for more than 30 years who addressed the Uncommitted movement during the Chicago convention, told CNN he turned down an invitation to Friday’s meeting with Harris. He cited growing frustration with what he described as a campaign more concerned with optics than addressing the anger and anxiety among Arab American voters.
Zogby was part of a Wednesday call with Harris national security adviser Phil Gordon that the White House described as a virtual gathering with “Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian American community leaders” to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East.
“There was no ground broken. I wasn’t quite sure what the intent was other than to just say … that they met with leaders. There were no leaders,” Zogby said of the Wednesday conversation.
That call and other communications with the Harris campaign, and Biden’s before that, have irked the longtime Democratic pollster. And Israel’s escalation in Lebanon has also turned up the heat in states like Michigan, where Lebanese Americans have made up a major part of the Democratic coalition.
“With Lebanon in flames, they’ve got a bigger job. And I don’t think they’re ready to handle it,” Zogby said of the Harris campaign. “It’s sort of like trying to sell a car to somebody with terminal cancer. ‘What’re you talking for? I have bigger things on my mind right now.’”
Abed Ayoub, the national executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, said there have been “many meetings with both the campaign and administration. They know our concerns and demands.”
“Our position and work is focused on bringing an immediate ceasefire, and an end to the genocide in Palestine and the war on Lebanon,” said Ayoub, who noted that his group has nearly 130,000 active voters as members, including 7,500 in Michigan.
This week, Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, took the campaign’s pitch to Emgage Action’s “Million Muslim Votes: A Way Forward” summit.
“I know the pain of this community is deep. Our hearts are broken. The concern of the vice president and Harris and I - it’s on our minds every day. The scale of death and destruction in Gaza is staggering and devastating. Tens of thousands of innocent civilians killed, families fleeing for safety, over and over again,” Walz said at the virtual event.
Harris has occasionally been disrupted at campaign rallies by pro-Palestinian protesters. In those moments, the vice president, who has spoken about the devastation in Gaza, has stressed that the administration is working toward a ceasefire deal.
Zogby said Friday he “desperately” wants Harris to win but is concerned about the campaign’s efforts to stage-manage the issue.
“They have to say something about the issue that’s on people’s minds,” Zogby said, “and they just don’t seem able to bring themselves to talk about it.”
This story has been updated with additional information.
CNN’s Brian Rokus contributed to this report.
In Michigan, Harris meets Arab American leaders angry over Israel
In Michigan, Harris meets Arab American leaders angry over Israel
Democratic presidential nominee VP Kamala Harris travels to Michigan
Updated Fri, October 4, 2024
By Nandita Bose, Andrea Shalal and Jeff Mason
WASHINGTON/FLINT, Michigan (Reuters) -Vice President Kamala Harris met with Arab American and Muslim leaders in Flint, Michigan, on Friday, as her presidential campaign seeks to win back voters angry at U.S. support for Israel's wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
The meeting is one of several attempts in recent days to mend fences with Muslim and Arab voters, who resoundingly backed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020 but could withhold their votes from Harris in numbers that would cost her the key state of Michigan.
During the half-hour meeting, Harris expressed her concern on the scale of suffering in Gaza, civilian casualties and displacement in Lebanon and discussed efforts to end the war, according to a campaign official. She also discussed efforts to prevent a regional war, the official added.
Wa'el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage Action which recently endorsed her, said participants shared their deep disappointment with the U.S. handling of the crisis and called on her to do everything in her power to end the war and reset U.S. policy in the region.
"Emgage Action asked Vice President Harris to impress upon President Biden the urgency of bringing an immediate end to the violence" in Gaza and Lebanon, Alzayat said. "She agrees that this war needs to end."
Ed Gabriel, president of the American Task Force on Lebanon, said the meeting included a good "give and take" on the issues, including "the need for a ceasefire, and the support needed from the United States and its allies to address the humanitarian crisis, the presidential leadership void in Lebanon, and the important role of the Lebanese Armed Forces."
"We heard a lot of compassion on her side. We'll see what happens," he said. "This was a valuable two-sided exchange, and we made important progress in our relationship. We're going to continue to meet."
Other participants included Assad Turfe, deputy county executive of Wayne County, Michigan's most populous county.
Jim Zogby, founder of the Arab American Institute and a longtime member of the Democratic National Committee, said he declined the invitation. Leaders from the Uncommitted National Movement protest campaign said they were not invited to the meeting. Hala Hijazi, a longtime friend of Harris who has lost dozens of members of her family in Gaza, was unable to attend.
Harris, a Democrat, faces Republican former President Donald Trump on Nov. 5 in what opinion polls show to be a tight presidential race. Both candidates have roughly even levels of support among Arab Americans, according to a poll published this week by the Arab American Institute.
Harris' meeting on Friday comes on the heels of other efforts by her team this week. On Thursday, her vice presidential pick, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, promised on a Zoom call with Muslim voters that Muslims would have an equal role in a Harris administration.
Harris' national security adviser, Phil Gordon, virtually met with leaders from the Arab and Muslim community on Wednesday and said the administration supports a ceasefire in Gaza, diplomacy in Lebanon and stability in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Critics say Biden and Harris have done too little to stop Israel's military campaign in Gaza, while continuing to supply Israel with weapons to carry it out.
Some Arab Americans believe Harris' refusal to distance herself from President Biden's policies in the Middle East, as Israel escalates its attacks, will cost her in November.
"Harris is going to lose Michigan," said Ali Dagher, a Lebanese American attorney and community leader. "I will not be voting for Kamala Harris. No one I know will vote for her. I cannot find a single person in the community who supports her."
Earlier in the day, in Redford Township, Michigan, outside of Detroit, Harris celebrated the union deal that ended a major port strike.
She spoke at a fire station whose workers are represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters, which on Thursday declined to make a presidential endorsement. The event was designed to show Harris has support among the union's rank-and-file members, an aide said.
After the meeting with Arab American leaders, Harris appeared with United Auto Workers union President Shawn Fain in Flint and vowed support for Michigan's auto industry.
A spokeswoman for the Trump campaign said Harris is "putting a minimum of 37,000 auto jobs at risk by refusing to tell Michiganders if she still supports her proposed plan to ban all internal combustion engine cars by 2035."
(Reporting by Nandita Bose in Washington, Andrea Shalal in Flint, Michigan and Jeff Mason in Redford Township, Michigan; Additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Jonathan Oatis, Deepa Babington and Edwina Gibbs)
Harris meets with Arab American and Muslim leaders in Michigan
Alex Gangitano
THE HILL
Fri, October 4, 2024
Vice President Harris met with leaders from the Muslim and Arab American community while in Flint, Mich., on Friday amid the ongoing war in the Middle East and shrinking support for Democrats from the community.
Harris traveled to Michigan this week for campaign events and ahead of her Flint rally, she “met briefly” with the leaders and “heard directly their perspectives on the election and the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon,” according to a Harris campaign official.
The official added that Harris “discussed her efforts to end the war in Gaza, such that: Israel is secure, hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, freedom, self-determination.”
She also, the official noted, expressed concern about civilian casualties and displacement in Lebanon and reiterated the Biden administration’s stance that a diplomatic solution is the best path to achieve stability, protect civilians, and prevent regional war.
The vice president’s meeting comes after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) participated in a virtual event with Emgage Action on Thursday to talk about concerns from the community. Phil Gordon, national security adviser to Harris, met virtually on Wednesday with Arab, Muslim and Palestinian Americans.
The group Emgage Action met with Harris and underscored the “deep pain our communities feel over the intensifying crisis in Gaza and Lebanon,” said Wa’el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage Action, in a statement.
“Emgage Action also reiterated the organization and the Muslim community’s disappointment in the handling of the crisis that has endangered the wellbeing of our communities at home and is now widening to a broader regional war,” he said.
Alzayat added that the meeting with Harris is the “latest step in assuring the Muslim community that the organization is committed to leveraging its endorsement of Vice President Harris to advocate on behalf of our community.”
In an effort to gain back support, a new coalition called Arab Americans for Harris-Walz launched this week. The group said it represents a “broad” group of Arab American voters, including some voters who were formerly in the uncommitted movement that opposed Biden during the Democratic primary over his handling of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
Biden, who has received criticism for not engaging enough with pro-Palestinian Americans, felt the anger about his handling of the war in the primary, when tens of thousands of voters in Michigan voted uncommitted.
The war in the Middle East has since escalated, and Iran launched a missile attack on Israel this week. Harris has voiced her support for ensuring Israel has the ability to defend itself.
Yash Roy contributed.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Fri, October 4, 2024
Vice President Harris met with leaders from the Muslim and Arab American community while in Flint, Mich., on Friday amid the ongoing war in the Middle East and shrinking support for Democrats from the community.
Harris traveled to Michigan this week for campaign events and ahead of her Flint rally, she “met briefly” with the leaders and “heard directly their perspectives on the election and the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon,” according to a Harris campaign official.
The official added that Harris “discussed her efforts to end the war in Gaza, such that: Israel is secure, hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, freedom, self-determination.”
She also, the official noted, expressed concern about civilian casualties and displacement in Lebanon and reiterated the Biden administration’s stance that a diplomatic solution is the best path to achieve stability, protect civilians, and prevent regional war.
The vice president’s meeting comes after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) participated in a virtual event with Emgage Action on Thursday to talk about concerns from the community. Phil Gordon, national security adviser to Harris, met virtually on Wednesday with Arab, Muslim and Palestinian Americans.
The group Emgage Action met with Harris and underscored the “deep pain our communities feel over the intensifying crisis in Gaza and Lebanon,” said Wa’el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage Action, in a statement.
“Emgage Action also reiterated the organization and the Muslim community’s disappointment in the handling of the crisis that has endangered the wellbeing of our communities at home and is now widening to a broader regional war,” he said.
Alzayat added that the meeting with Harris is the “latest step in assuring the Muslim community that the organization is committed to leveraging its endorsement of Vice President Harris to advocate on behalf of our community.”
In an effort to gain back support, a new coalition called Arab Americans for Harris-Walz launched this week. The group said it represents a “broad” group of Arab American voters, including some voters who were formerly in the uncommitted movement that opposed Biden during the Democratic primary over his handling of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
Biden, who has received criticism for not engaging enough with pro-Palestinian Americans, felt the anger about his handling of the war in the primary, when tens of thousands of voters in Michigan voted uncommitted.
The war in the Middle East has since escalated, and Iran launched a missile attack on Israel this week. Harris has voiced her support for ensuring Israel has the ability to defend itself.
Yash Roy contributed.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Harris meets with leaders from Muslim and Arab American communities
Nnamdi Egwuonwu and Megan Lebowitz and Alex Seitz-Wald
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 7:51 PM MDT·3 min read
6
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak during a campaign rally at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Mich., on Friday.
FLINT, Mich. — Vice President Kamala Harris met with leaders from the Muslim and Arab American community ahead of her campaign rally here on Friday, a campaign official said.
During the meeting, Harris heard leaders' perspectives on the election, as well as the wars in Gaza and Lebanon, the official said.
The vice president "expressed her concern over the scale of suffering in Gaza" and "expressed concern about civilian casualties and displacement" in Lebanon, the official said.
"The vice president discussed her efforts to end the war in Gaza, such that: Israel is secure, hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, freedom, self-determination," the official said, echoing a sentiment that Harris has previously expressed when discussing the war.
The Israel-Hamas war is threatening to spill into a larger regional conflict as Israel launched strikes in Lebanon that killed the leader of Hezbollah, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., and Iran fired missiles at Israel. The war has ignited criticism from some progressives in the U.S. over the Biden administration’s relationship with Israel.
Harris has emphasized that she stands by Israel’s right to defend itself after the Hamas terrorist attacks on Oct. 7. At the same time, she has said that Gaza’s “scale of suffering is heartbreaking.”
Harris' meeting comes a day after her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, met virtually with Emgage Action, a Muslim political organizing group.
The CEO of Emgage Action, Wa'el Alzayat, who also attended Friday's meeting with Harris, released a statement saying that the group "called on Vice President Harris to do everything in her power, should she win, to end the war and reset US policy in the region."
"Emgage Action also reiterated the organization and the Muslim community's disappointment in the handling of the crisis that has endangered the wellbeing of our communities at home and is now widening to a broader regional war," Alzayat's statement continued.
He added that his group asked Harris "to impress upon President Biden the urgency of bringing an immediate end to the violence."
Emgage endorsed Harris in September, despite saying that "the vice president still has a ways to go" on certain issues.
On Wednesday, Phil Gordon, a national security adviser for the vice president, met virtually with Muslim, Arab and Palestinian leaders from across the country, according to a source familiar with the planning.
Gordon underscored Biden administration’s efforts to bring the war in Gaza to an end through a cease-fire and hostage release deal, which he said would relieve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the source said. He also expressed concern for civilians in Lebanon.
Also, on Tuesday the campaign launched its “Arab Americans for Harris-Walz” coalition group.
The Biden administration's handling of the Israel-Hamas war led some Muslim voters and groups to declare that they would "abandon Biden" ahead of his decision to drop out of the race, and the pro-Palestinian Uncommitted Movement has refused to endorse Harris.
Letters: I'm the mayor of Flint. I believe Kamala Harris will help our city.
Nnamdi Egwuonwu and Megan Lebowitz and Alex Seitz-Wald
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 7:51 PM MDT·3 min read
6
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak during a campaign rally at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Mich., on Friday.
FLINT, Mich. — Vice President Kamala Harris met with leaders from the Muslim and Arab American community ahead of her campaign rally here on Friday, a campaign official said.
During the meeting, Harris heard leaders' perspectives on the election, as well as the wars in Gaza and Lebanon, the official said.
The vice president "expressed her concern over the scale of suffering in Gaza" and "expressed concern about civilian casualties and displacement" in Lebanon, the official said.
"The vice president discussed her efforts to end the war in Gaza, such that: Israel is secure, hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, freedom, self-determination," the official said, echoing a sentiment that Harris has previously expressed when discussing the war.
The Israel-Hamas war is threatening to spill into a larger regional conflict as Israel launched strikes in Lebanon that killed the leader of Hezbollah, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., and Iran fired missiles at Israel. The war has ignited criticism from some progressives in the U.S. over the Biden administration’s relationship with Israel.
Harris has emphasized that she stands by Israel’s right to defend itself after the Hamas terrorist attacks on Oct. 7. At the same time, she has said that Gaza’s “scale of suffering is heartbreaking.”
Harris' meeting comes a day after her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, met virtually with Emgage Action, a Muslim political organizing group.
The CEO of Emgage Action, Wa'el Alzayat, who also attended Friday's meeting with Harris, released a statement saying that the group "called on Vice President Harris to do everything in her power, should she win, to end the war and reset US policy in the region."
"Emgage Action also reiterated the organization and the Muslim community's disappointment in the handling of the crisis that has endangered the wellbeing of our communities at home and is now widening to a broader regional war," Alzayat's statement continued.
He added that his group asked Harris "to impress upon President Biden the urgency of bringing an immediate end to the violence."
Emgage endorsed Harris in September, despite saying that "the vice president still has a ways to go" on certain issues.
On Wednesday, Phil Gordon, a national security adviser for the vice president, met virtually with Muslim, Arab and Palestinian leaders from across the country, according to a source familiar with the planning.
Gordon underscored Biden administration’s efforts to bring the war in Gaza to an end through a cease-fire and hostage release deal, which he said would relieve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the source said. He also expressed concern for civilians in Lebanon.
Also, on Tuesday the campaign launched its “Arab Americans for Harris-Walz” coalition group.
The Biden administration's handling of the Israel-Hamas war led some Muslim voters and groups to declare that they would "abandon Biden" ahead of his decision to drop out of the race, and the pro-Palestinian Uncommitted Movement has refused to endorse Harris.
Letters: I'm the mayor of Flint. I believe Kamala Harris will help our city.
Detroit Free Press
Fri, October 4, 2024
As Flint’s mayor, I have always put our community first, working to secure a brighter future for all our residents. Today, Vice President Kamala Harris is visiting Flint, and I am asking you to join me in supporting her for candidacy president of the United States. Harris has a vision for America that aligns with the values and needs of our nation. She is committed to policies that will foster growth, uplift working families and ensure justice for all. Her leadership represents a future where we not only recovers from the hardships of the past but thrives in the years to come.
As the father of two daughters, I know how critical it is to protect women’s rights. Health care, bodily autonomy and the freedom to make personal choices are cornerstones of our democracy. Harris has consistently shown that she will stand firm in defending these rights. She will be a champion for women, ensuring their freedoms are respected and protected under the law.
As the co-chair of the Michigan Black Mayors Association, I also believe that Kamala Harris’ platform for rebuilding the middle class will have a transformative impact on Flint.
Opinion: Donald Trump was better for the economy, Kamala Harris better for America
Kamala Harris will work to lift Flint families out of poverty
One policy I applaud is her proposal for a $6,000 tax credit for families with infants. This initiative is modeled after Flint's own Rx Kids program, which we proudly supported through federal American Rescue Plan Act funding. This program is a critical step toward closing health disparity gaps and lifting our families out of poverty. Harris has the foresight to scale this nationally, creating opportunities for all working-class families.
As a former union president, I know how vital good-paying jobs and economic security are to our community. Flint holds a special place in the history of the American labor movement — our city was the birthplace of the middle class, forged in the struggle of the Flint Sit-Down Strike and the rise of the United Auto Workers.
While deindustrialization dealt our community a heavy blow, we now have an opportunity to reclaim our role in America’s economic future. Kamala Harris has shown strong leadership on this front, helping to create policies that will bring jobs back to urban areas by reactivating brownfields, restoring our environment and fostering new economic opportunities.
Kamala Harris is committed to fighting injustice
As a Black man, husband, father and leader in this community, I’ve witnessed social injustice firsthand. For too long, bad actors have sought to divide our country, pitting neighbor against neighbor. Kamala Harris is committed to uniting us, fighting for equality and making the smart, compassionate choices needed to bring justice to every corner of America.
Opinion: Trump ranted. Harris looked presidential. Freep readers respond to 2024 election debate.
Her work as a former prosecutor and her role as vice president demonstrate her dedication to lifting up marginalized communities and ensuring that all Americans, regardless of race or background, are treated fairly and justly. The challenges we face in Flint and across this country are immense, but with the right leadership, we can overcome them.
That’s why I’m standing with Kamala Harris, and I urge all of you to listen to her message, hear her vision and consider what she can do for you and for America. Together, we can build better, stronger cities, and a more united nation.
Sheldon A. Neeley
The writer is the mayor of Flint
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Letters: Harris is committed to helping Flint's working clas
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