Oregon group campaigns for ‘Uncommitted’ presidential primary vote for ceasefire

Michaela Bourgeois
·2 min read
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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A group called Uncommitted Oregon has launched a campaign encouraging Oregonians to write in “uncommitted” on their primary ballots as a protest vote urging President Joe Biden to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The war in Gaza began Oct. 7 after a Hamas-led attack in southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and 250 people were held hostage, as reported by the Associated Press.

Uncommitted Oregon’s protest joins other states calling for “uncommitted” protest votes, which the organization says is supported by more than 22 other states and has support from over 600,000 voters.

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In addition to an immediate and permanent ceasefire, Uncommitted Oregon is calling for an end to the genocide, US military aid to Israel, and free access to humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.

Uncommitted Oregon is made up of more than 20 organizations and community leaders. In a press release announcing their campaign, Uncommitted Oregon referred to Biden’s claim that he is working on a ceasefire deal as “hollow and disingenuous.”

“We are writing in ‘Uncommitted’ to show President Biden that we will not support his administration while he continues to aid and abet Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people,” said Maxine Fookson with Healthcare Workers for Palestine PDX. “We are using the power of our ballots to send him a strong message: he is losing a broad coalition of Democratic voters in Oregon who will accept nothing less than an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.”

Some Oregon lawmakers have voiced their support for a ceasefire including Sen. Jeff Merkley, Multnomah County, and the City of Eugene, as noted by Uncommitted Oregon.

On Thursday, President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone, with the president saying future U.S. support for its war in Gaza depends on Israel protecting aid workers and civilians, as reported by the Associated Press. The call came days after Israeli airstrikes killed seven World Central Kitchen charity workers in Gaza, which Israel said was an error.

The Oregon primary is May 21, 2024, followed by the general election Nov. 5, 2024.

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