President Joe Biden’s recent trip to Michigan has laid bare a widening gap between him and the sizable Arab-American community in the state, casting doubt on his chances for re-election in the upcoming November general election.
While meeting with members of the United Auto Workers union, who had endorsed his re-election bid, Biden’s motorcade was rerouted through side streets in Warren to avoid approximately two hundred protesters expressing their dissatisfaction.
The Arab-American community in Michigan, a key electoral group, voiced their disapproval of Biden’s steadfast support for Israel, particularly during the Gaza conflict that resulted in the deaths of over 27,000 people, primarily women and children. Chants of “Genocide Joe has got to go” resonated among the protesters, who also displayed Palestinian flags.
According to analysis, “If Biden loses even half of their vote, it’s unlikely he can win Michigan – and without Michigan, he has a very narrow path to winning a second term.”
Protesters on the ground expressed frustration and disappointment, with one demonstrator, Hawraa, emphatically stating, “There is nothing that will ever make me vote for a genocidal president, ever.” The sentiment was echoed by others, highlighting a sense of betrayal within the Arab American community.
Salma Hamamy, an activist with Students for Justice in Palestine, accused Biden of “entirely abandoning” the Palestinian and Arab communities, as well as “the concept of humanity.” Protesters vowed not to support Biden on election day, citing his continued backing of Israel.
This protest signifies a shift in the voting approach of the Arab American community. As Salma Hamamy declared, “Arab Americans will no longer choose between the ‘lesser of two evils.’ We will be voting for people who are deserving of our vote.” This shift could have substantial implications for Biden’s electoral standing in this critical state.
