Uncommitted Delegates Stage Sit-In at DNC

Members of the 'Uncommitted' movement, which gained significant votes in Democratic primaries, staged a sit-in at the Democratic National Convention after being denied the chance to have a Palestinian American speaker. This protest highlights the internal rifts in the Democratic Party over the Israel-Hamas war.

Members of the 'Uncommitted' movement, which secured hundreds of thousands of votes in Democratic primaries as a protest against the Israel-Hamas war, have been in negotiations for weeks to have a Palestinian American speaker address the Democratic National Convention.

Negotiations came to a halt on Wednesday when a Democratic National Committee official informed the group that their request was denied. Abbas Alawieh, a leader of the Uncommitted National Movement, described the response as shocking. In protest, delegates began a sit-in outside Chicago's United Center, pledging to stay until their request was granted or the convention ended.

The sit-in has revealed internal tensions within the Democratic Party, which has largely rallied behind Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign. The decision to deny a Palestinian American speaker has drawn criticism from some on the left, including influential figures such as the United Autoworkers Union and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. Despite the backlash, party leaders, including Sen. Chuck Schumer, have stressed the need for unity within the party.

(With inputs from agencies.)