US Presidential Candidates Appeal to Michigan’s Muslim, Arab Voters
US Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump both crisscrossed Michigan on Friday in an effort to net support from the swing state's voters ahead of the election.
During her rally in Waterford Township, Michigan, Harris spoke about the "very difficult" year and pledged anew to help end to the Israeli regime's war on Gaza.
"This year has been very difficult, given the scale of death and destruction in Gaza and given the civilian casualties and displacement in Lebanon," she said.
She stressed utilizing "diplomacy" to resume talks between the two warring factions to release the captives and initiate a ceasefire.
If elected president, she pledged to "do everything in my power to achieve these goals."
Trump's focus included enclaves that have significant Arab American and North African American populations.
Though Muslim Americans in Michigan have tended to cast ballots for Democratic presidential candidates in the past, recent polls have shown a fissure in that loyalty amid concerns over how the Biden administration's has handled the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
For his part, Trump is working to make inroads with a group who was directly impacted by a travel ban during his administration targeting Muslim countries. He has since said he would reinstate the ban and broaden it to include refugees from Gaza.
During a stop in Hamtramck, Trump highlighted his endorsement from the city's mayor, Amer Ghalib.
Read More:
According to the US Census Bureau, many of the city's roughly 30,000 residents are of North African or Middle Eastern ancestry. The city has an all-Muslim city council.
During the event, Trump asked Brian Pannebecker, the founder of Auto Workers for Trump, "Do you have a little Arab blood in you?"
Source: Newsweek
