Some protest groups still not sold on Harris or Trump
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A coalition of groups protesting outside Hillary Clinton's appearance Sunday at the Auditorium Theatre. Photo: Carrie Shepherd/Axios
Protesters have been present at nearly every local political event over the past year, but with 19 days until the election it's unclear how — or if — these groups will vote.
Why it matters: These groups have vocalized discontent with former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris for the candidates' unwillingness to commit to a ceasefire and arms embargo on Israel.
- Harris is expected to win Illinois, but her position on Gaza may affect the vote in Cook County, which has the largest Palestinian population in the U.S.
The latest: Protesters chanted, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," and held signs reading, "Divest from Genocide," outside the Auditorium Theatre where Sen. Tammy Duckworth interviewed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday night.
- The U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) also protested Tuesday outside Trump's appearance at the Economic Club of Chicago.
Zoom in: The group USPCN-Chicago has been a consistent, active presence throughout this election cycle and led the largest organized march during the DNC.
- The group has spoken out against members of Congress, including from Illinois. USPCN-Chicago member Nadiah Alyafai said at a recent rally: "Their silence, or even worse, their vocal support for the genocidal state of Israel, is a betrayal of the so-called progressive and democratic values that they claim to uphold."
Zoom out: The Arab American Political Action Committee, a Michigan-based PAC, is not making a presidential endorsement for the first time in 20 years, Politico reported this week.
- In August, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) released survey results showing about 29% of Muslim voters planned to vote for Harris, roughly the same percentage who say they'll vote for Green Party candidate Jill Stein.
- Stein is a write-in candidate on the Illinois ballot.
What they're saying: CodePink, another group that protested Clinton's appearance, is not endorsing a candidate due to its nonprofit status.
- "As an antiwar organization based in the United States, our focus is on ending U.S. supported wars and genocides, which are supported by both major parties, so our work remains the same regardless of who is in office," spokesperson Melissa Garriga tells Axios.
What we're watching: The Uncommitted Movement, the group that pushed for a Palestinian speaker at the DNC, last week came the closest it has to a Harris endorsement by claiming a Trump presidency would be more dangerous for Palestine than if Harris wins.
- But some members remain unconvinced and want to vote third party, which would most likely siphon votes from Harris in a swing state like Michigan.