LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan Democrats, already grappling with internal divisions ahead of a crucial election year, are now facing a new challenge: a Palestinian-American-led coalition determined to push the party further left on foreign policy and other key issues.
Frustrated by President Biden’s handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict, the group is mobilizing to influence Democratic leadership in Michigan. Their goal? To ensure that elected officials align more closely with their vision for U.S. policy in the Middle East – or risk losing their support.
The People’s Coalition aims to reshape Michigan Democrats.
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The group calls itself the “The People’s Coalition” and they have been working to recruit turnout to the Michigan Democratic Convention in Detroit on February 22nd. The website for the organization says that the group is a “Palestinian-American led, multi-faith, multi-racial movement pushing to make our party one that works on behalf of the people.” The group has put forth candidates for several positions within the state party although they don’t have a candidate for the MDP Chair.
Currently the two candidates running for the Chair position in the state party are former State Senator Curtis Hertel Jr. (D-East Lansing) and community organizer AL “BJ” Williams. The People’s Coalition hasn’t made any endorsements for that position but they are pleased that Hertel has included the People’s Coalition candidate Hind Omar to be on the Executive Board – who could become the board’s first Palestinian-American member.
From “uncommitted” to committed?
The People’s Coalition is new – only coming into existence at the beginning of January. However, Co- Founder Rima Mohammad, who is running to be a Vice Chair in the state party, told Michigan Advance that it is a movement that was building even before that.
The group’s roots started with the “Uncommitted” movement which hoped to influence former President Biden and VP Kamala Harris’ policies regarding the war in Gaza. The group withheld their support from Biden during the Democratic primaries which also turned into abandoning VP Harris during her run for the presidency. Even after abandoning the Democrats in their run against Trump, Mohammed insists that the group is “committed” to the Democratic party.
The platform.
The organization says that their mission is “dedicated to uniting diverse communities, advocating for justice, equity, and sustainability” and to “amplify the voices of marginalized and underrepresented groups, mobilize collective action for social and political change, and build a more inclusive society where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.” Their goals are to promote social justice, fight for economic equity and build solidarity across movements, from climate justice to labor rights to immigrant and refugee advocacy.
Activism vs. electability.
While grassroots enthusiasm and “splinter” groups can energize a party, it also comes with risks. The coalition’s push for a hard-line stance on Gaza could put some Democratic candidates in a difficult position – particularly those in competitive districts where foreign policy is not the top concern for voters.
If the group succeeds in pulling the Michigan Democratic Party further to the left, it may create an opening for Republicans to appeal to disillusioned moderates. The risk is especially high in a battleground state like Michigan, where elections are often decided by narrow margins.
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