In a surprising turn of events, the left-wing organization Black Lives Matter (BLM) has taken a firm stand against the installation of Vice President Kamala Harris as the presumptive Democratic nominee.
The group, known for its influential role in the 2020 protests following George Floyd’s death, is now demanding the Democratic National Convention (DNC) implement a public nomination process rather than relying solely on party delegates.
On Tuesday, BLM issued a statement condemning the Democratic Party’s decision-making process, stating, “A 24-hour process of talking to party bosses is not democratic, nor is it a process Democrats should be proud of.”
This statement comes after weeks of mounting internal pressure on President Joe Biden to withdraw from the race following a poor debate performance. Despite his initial resistance, Biden suddenly dropped out over the weekend and endorsed Harris to lead the ticket. The Democratic Party quickly rallied behind Harris, securing enough delegate support to ensure her nomination at the upcoming DNC convention in August.
However, BLM, typically aligned with the Democratic Party, is now crying foul. “We do not live in a dictatorship. Delegates are not oligarchs. Installing Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee and an unknown vice president without any public voting process would make the modern Democratic Party a party of hypocrites,” the group declared.
BLM’s demands are clear: the DNC should host an informal, virtual snap primary across the country before the convention in August. “We call for the Rules Committee to create a process that allows for public participation in the nomination process, not just a nomination by party delegates. The current political landscape is unprecedented, with President Biden stepping aside in a manner never seen before. This moment calls for decisive action to protect the integrity of our democracy and the voices of Black voters,” the statement continued.
The group accused Democratic Party elites and billionaire donors of manipulating Black voters by anointing Harris and an unnamed vice president as the new Democratic ticket without a primary vote by the public. “This blatant disregard for democratic principles is unacceptable. While the potential outcome of a Harris presidency may be historic, the process to achieve it must align with true democratic values,” BLM asserted.
BLM further expressed concern over Harris’s political positions and the mystery surrounding her potential vice president. “We have no idea where Kamala Harris stands on the issues, now that she has assumed Joe Biden’s place, and we have no idea of the record of her potential vice president because we don’t even know who it is yet.”
Shalomyah Bowers, a leader within BLM, emphasized that their stance is not an attack on Kamala Harris or Black women, nor a question of Harris’s qualifications or capabilities. “This is about the nominating process. Those of us who care about the principles of democracy cannot be serious about installing Kamala Harris and an unknown vice president as the Democratic nominee without any semblance of a people-powered process,” Bowers stated.
Bowers continued, “Not delegates and party elites, but actually asking communities across the country if they believe this should be the democratic ticket. Anything less is unserious in the quest for democracy.”
BLM’s demands highlight a critical moment for the Democratic Party as it faces internal strife and questions about its commitment to democratic principles. The organization’s call for a public nomination process underscores the importance of transparency and voter participation in shaping the future of the party. As the DNC convention approaches, all eyes will be on how the party responds to these calls for a more inclusive and democratic process.
