The DNC denied ‘Uncommitted’ a seat so they made their own – outside the convention
An impromptu sit in organized by the Uncommitted Movement Wednesday night drew delegates, advocates, and press outside one of the biggest political events of the year to focus on the call for the pro-Palestinian members to be heard.
Their demand was simple – representation at the DNC.
Under Chicago’sUnited Center lights, which illuminated the faces of Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz faces above him, Michigan delegate and Uncommitted organizer Abbas Alawieh informed the crowd that the Harris administration denied their request for a Palestinian speaker to talk, even though Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, the parents of an Israeli hostage, spoke on stage Wednesday night.
“We made the ask every which way. I’ve been in touch with top DNC staffers, I’ve been in touch with advisors to vice president Harris. I know she knows about this ask,” Alawieh said. “This level of suppression is unacceptable.”
One by one he and 5 other delegates took a seat on the sidewalk besides each other in protest.
The “uncommitted” movement, which began with the Listen to Michigan campaign in February, has grown into a national protest, with voters across the country casting enough “uncommitted” ballots to send delegates from states like Hawaii, Washington, and Minnesota to the convention. These delegates are using their presence to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an arms embargo against Israel.
“We will always make our voices heard , that’s what makes the party what it is. Not holding out voices” said June Rose, an Uncommitted delegate from Rhode Island. “Is that not what the Democratic Party is? Do we not stand up for the most vulnerable? Who is more vulnerable at this moment than Palestinian families and children who are living under bombardment?”
As word spread about the sit in, thought leaders and party affiliates tweeted their support.
Muslim Women for Harris-Walz announced they are disbanding on account of the news.
“We cannot in good conscience continue Muslim Women for Harris-Walz in light of this new information from the Uncommitted movement that VP Harris’ team declined their request to have a Palestinian American speaker take the stage at the DNC,” the group said in an Instagram post. “This is a terrible message to send to Democrats.”
The group added that “the family of an Israeli hostage has shown more empathy towards Palestinian Americans and Palestinians, than our candidate or the DNC has,” highlighting the growing tension within the party over the Gaza issue.
As the minutes turned into hours, more people left the DNC to join the group, who sat firm in their spots after the event inside was over.
Alawieh was in communication with a Harris staffer, taking calls and reading messages to the crowd. According to Chicago Tribune reporter Jake Sheridan, who remained at the scene, the DNC made a counter-offer, refusing a speech but allowing the group to have a meeting with four staffers.
“We reiterate: ‘No’ is not an acceptable response,” said Alaweih. “They need to reconsider.”
It’s unclear how long the delegates remained outside, though posts on the Uncommitted social media accounts stopped after 1 p.m. Uncommitted is hosting a press conference this morning at 9:30 a.m. CST.
The “uncommitted” delegates argue that without a meaningful change in policy, large parts of the party base — including young voters, Arabs, Muslims, and progressives — will not be energized to elect Harris in November. Their presence at the convention, marked by keffiyehs and lapel pins calling for an end to weapon transfers to Israel, underscores the growing divide within the Democratic Party over the war in Gaza.