Do not consent to be governed by genocide sponsors

In its endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, The Michigan Daily Editorial Board swept aside her pledge of unwavering military support for Israel as it commits genocide. The board claims that she “is dedicated to the preservation of our democratic norms,” has “unflinching loyalty to the U.S. Constitution” and has “integrity, resilience, open-mindedness and good decision making.”

In fact, the Democratic Party has abandoned many democratic norms. The majority-Democratic University of Michigan Board of Regents lobbied Michigan’s Attorney General to bypass the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office and charge students who protested the University administration. The Democratic National Committee rigged the states’ order in its nominating process and refused to hold primary debates to protect President Joe Biden from scrutiny. Nonetheless, more than 100,000 Michiganders — including myself — voted uncommitted, serving notice that we would not consent to genocide. The DNC responded by imposing Harris as the nominee without seeking public input, over the objections of the Black Lives Matter Foundation, and refused to allow Palestinian speakers at her nominating convention.

The Biden-Harris administration is violating the U.S. Constitution and the War Powers Act with its ongoing bombing campaign against Yemen, an act that never obtained Congressional authorization. Secretary of State Antony Blinken overruled the U.S. Agency for International Development’s determination that Israel was blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza to circumvent the Leahy Law and continue illegal weapons shipments. Harris’ campaign has expelled Muslims from her rallies and campaigned with Rep. Liz Cheney, neoconservative warhawk and genocide supporter.

Thankfully, Michiganders need not vote for former President Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.

In 1844, the abolitionists had a superior theory of voting. They did not paper over the character of an intransigently evil candidate. Instead, they voted for the Liberty Party. The lesser evil — the Whigs — collapsed. The Liberty Party was succeeded by the Republicans, and slavery was eventually abolished.

Don’t consent to be governed by evil. Vote with Abandon Harris and for Jill Stein.

Kade Katrak is a 2021 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. They can be reached at katrakka@umich.edu. 

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