Rep. Rashida Tlaib said she proudly cast a protest vote against President Biden in Michigan’s Democratic primary, citing his stance on Israel’s conflict with Gaza.
Tlaib, who is Palestinian-American, shared a video encouraging voters to choose “uncommitted” through the group Listen To Michigan.
She noted 74% of Michigan Democrats support a ceasefire but Biden has not listened.
Rep. Tlaib said, “Hi everyone, it’s Rashida. I was proud today to walk in and pull a Democratic ballot and vote uncommitted. We must protect our democracy, we must make sure that our government is about us, about the people.”
“When 74% of Democrats in Michigan support a ceasefire yet President Biden is not hearing us, this is the way we can use our democracy to say listen,” she continued.
She added, “Listen to the families right now that have been directly impacted, but also listen to majority of Americans that are saying enough. No more wars, no more using our dollars to fund a genocide. No more. So please, take your family members, use our democratic process to speak up about your core values, where you want to see our country go.”
Progressive groups like Abandon Biden have pushed uncommitted votes in swing states over Biden’s failure to demand a permanent ceasefire.
Tlaib, who has been a vocal critic of Biden’s response, spent the day urging Michigan voters on social media to protest Biden’s reelection through uncommitted primary votes.
She argued people regularly attend protests and should do the same at the polls for children killed in Gaza.
Tlaib later posted on Instagram, “We attend marches and protests all the time! We can stand at a polling station for EVERY CHILD KILLED in Gaza. Don’t stay home. Help the uncommitted campaign.”
Her vote reflected frustration within some Democratic constituencies over the administration’s Middle East policy and handling of the crisis.
