Activists urge Democrats to vote 'uncommitted' in June

Apr. 16—Activists seeking a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip gathered at Tiguex Park on Monday to urge Democrats to vote "uncommitted" in the June 4 primary election.

The effort is part of an uncommitted national movement intended to spur President Joe Biden to cut off military aid to Israel and increase humanitarian support for Palestinians living in war-torn Gaza.

Samia Assed, a Palestinian American and longtime Democratic Party organizer, said the uncommitted movement is intended as a protest and a warning to Biden.

"We're the canaries in the mines that are warning you of what is about to happen if you do not pivot on your policies, because people are very frustrated," Assed said at a news conference.

Assed was one of several dozen activists who turned out Tuesday at what was described as a rally to launch the uncommitted movement in New Mexico. The event doubled as a voter registration drive.

Assed and others are urging Democrats to select "uncommitted" as an alternative to Biden on the Democratic ballot as a protest on June 4.

Activists said the uncommitted movement is intended to motivate more Democrats to turn out in the primary election by giving them a voice.

"A lot of people who wouldn't otherwise vote would be motivated to have the option for uncommitted," said Jane Yee, an environmental and economic justice activist.

The movement began in the swing state of Michigan, where more than 100,000 people cast votes for the uncommitted option on the Democratic ballot in February, or about 13% of the 618,000 votes cast.

Since then, the uncommitted option has attracted hundreds of thousands of primary votes in Minnesota, Wisconsin and other states to express dissatisfaction with Biden's handling of the war.

A.J. Legasto Schlesinger, a 27-year-old student at New Mexico Tech, said the Gaza issue is highly motivating for young voters.

"I can think of few issues more galvanizing for people in my generation than the war in Gaza," Schlesinger said.