(NewsNation) — Michigan Democratic voters who are opting to fill in “uncommitted” on their primary ballots instead of voting for President Joe Biden want to send a message about “standing up for the humanity” of Palestinians, an activist said Tuesday.
Nina Turner, founder of the organization We Are Somebody, said on “NewsNation Now” that no one is jumping up and down to say that they want former president and Republican primary front-runner Donald Trump to become president again.
“What they are saying to the current president is that you must call for a permanent cease-fire and call for it right now,” Turner told NewsNation anchor Connell McShane.
Other Democrats, however, including Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, have said any vote not for Biden would mean one for Trump.
“The Michigan governor is wrong about that,” Turner said. “That’s important for people to understand —this is not Trump versus Biden, this is Biden in a Democratic primary.”
Nearly 30,000 Palestinians have been killed after almost five months of Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip, according to the Associated Press. In the past 24 hours alone, the bodies of 96 people were brought to hospitals along with at least 144 wounded, Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry said. Violence has surged against Palestinians living in the West Bank as well.
Israel declared war after Hamas militants attacked the country, killing 1,200 and taking around 250 hostage Oct. 7.
“Not only are people dying, there are people who are alive right now who are facing famine,” Turner said. “Where’s the humanity for the people of Gaza?”
Although voters are dissatisfied with Biden’s policy on Israel, Turner said, he still has time to change course by supporting a cease-fire.
“Let’s get hostages released, and let’s get real peace over there in Gaza,” Turner said. “And let’s get a solution so that both peoples can live in security and peace.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
