DETROIT, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – At a rally in an airplane hangar at Detroit Metro Airport on Wednesday, Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris encountered pro-Palestinian hecklers, exposing the challenges she faces in swaying “uncommitted” voters, particularly those from the pro-Palestinian community in southeast lower Michigan.

Harris continues to walk the fine line of publicly supporting Israel while also speaking out about the conditions of the Palestinian people. Previously, we reported that she is performing a high-wire act, aiming to win over Michigan voters without alienating key Arab American demographics.

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In Michigan, over 100,000 Democrats voted “uncommitted” instead of for President Biden in the presidential primary. This was a protest vote against Biden’s handling of the war in Gaza. Additionally, a majority of primary voters in Dearborn, 57%, chose “uncommitted” over Biden.

Star-studded lineup precedes Harris’ brief address to crowd.

Harris addressed a Detroit crowd estimated to be over 15,000 for a brisk 26 minutes, following speeches by a lineup of Democrats. Among the speakers were retiring Senator Debbie Stabenow, UAW President Shawn Fain, Democratic Michigan Senatorial candidate and U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, first-time Black voter Adam Todd, and her newly minted running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

The unexpected welcome.

As Harris addressed the crowd, supportive chants repeatedly broke out during the rally but things took an unexpected turn when she was heckled by a group of about a dozen pro-Palestinian protesters from the Uncommitted movement.

Harris, who was in the Motor City to drum up support for her presidential campaign, found herself in the crosshairs of a group of vocal critics demanding a shift in U.S. policy toward Gaza and other Palestinian territories.

While she was speaking, imploring Democrats to read the 887-page “Project 2025” and her supporters were chanting “Kamala! Kamala! Kamala!” pro-Palestinian protesters started shouting “Kamala, Kamala you can’t hide! We won’t vote for genocide.”

Harris attempts to silence critics.

Harris smiled at the crowd initially and said it was “all good” but she soon gave a stern lecture to them by saying, “I’m here because we believe in democracy, everyone’s voice matters…but I AM speaking now…I AM speaking now.”

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Harris trudged on and began attacking President Donald J. Trump in a partisan rant. When pro-Palestinian supporters continued to heckle her, she became visibly irritated. She snapped, “You know what? If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking.” After her lecture, she glared at them as they were escorted out of the rally.

In has been reported by NBC News that leaders of the Uncommitted National Movement met with Kamala briefly before the Detroit rally. The group said that Layla Elabed, co-founder of Uncommitted, gave Harris an ultimatum for their vote, saying, “Michigan voters want to support you, but we need a policy that will save lives in Gaza right now. I meet with community members every day in Michigan who are losing tens and hundreds of family members in Gaza. Right now, we need an arms embargo.”

The voices of the uncommitted.

It’s also been reported by the Detroit News that the Uncommitted National Movement made their presence felt at Haraz Coffee House in Dearborn on Wednesday. Elabed and Uncommitted co- founder Abbas Alawieh led the charge, emphasizing their demand for a significant policy shift. Elabed said, ”I’m a Palestinian myself. I have family that lives in occupied West Bank, and I hear the stories – generations of stories.”

Alawieh, who is also a Michigan Uncommitted Democratic National Convention delegate, echoed Elabed’s sentiments. “Our government here in the United States, unfortunately, is not a neutral actor when we’re talking about negotiations around the ceasefire” Alawieh said adding, “Our government is actually sending more and more bombs as our leaders are telling us they’re trying to stop the bombs. There is an inherent contradiction there, and our community knows that what needs to happen is for us to stop sending bombs.”

Demands for change.

The Uncommitted National Movement has clear demands: an arms embargo on Israel and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Their goal is to hold Harris accountable for the Biden administration’s policies and ensure a commitment to change before offering their support.

The road ahead.

Despite the overwhelming support Harris has among Democratic delegates, with 99% having already selected her as the party’s presidential nominee, the Uncommitted National Movement remains steadfast in their demands and plans to send 30 delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago later this month, all committed to holding Harris accountable.

Plans are also underway for pro-Palestinian protests at the convention. Tens of thousands are expected to show up to protest the Gaza war during the event, which will be held from August 19th through 22nd.

Awaiting a response.

As Harris continues her campaign, the pressure from the Uncommitted National Movement remains, and will most likely remain throughout the election cycle if Harris doesn’t unequivocally throw her support to them and the Palestinians.

They are demanding a clear response and a commitment to their cause before offering their endorsement. Alawieh said at the press conference, ”We welcome President Harris to Michigan and we hope that she hears Michigan’s very clear request that we stop sending bombs to kill people we love. And I also want to be very clear that…what the uncommitted national movement is saying is that if Vice President Harris embraces an arms embargo, we will drop everything we’re doing and endorse Vice President Harris, and make sure that we proactively encourage the voters who have believed in this movement to vote for Vice President Harris, even through our pain.”

Can the Democrats bridge their divides and energize their base?

Harris’s visit to Detroit underscores the complexities of the current political landscape for the Democratic party as she navigates the demands of a divided base and attempts to secure Uncommitted voters’ support at the same time. The success of the party’s efforts to unify its diverse coalition, especially in Michigan, will be a significant factor in determining the victor come November.