Michigan - Yesterday was a historic day for Arab Americans and allies in the US. Through the grassroots organizing of Listen to Michigan, 101,000 Americans voted uncommitted in the presidential primary as a means to build pressure for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. We saw what the people united for humanity can do, and as a grassroots campaign ourselves we are so awed to see the power of conscientious voters.

The genocide in Gaza is the moral imperative of our time. The uncommitted voters in Michigan have risen to this moment. They have strategically transformed voting from an uninspiring forced choice into a powerful, resounding cry for the will of the people.

The question today is will our political leadership heed this cry? The Democratic Party and our leadership at the highest levels must understand that the mass slaughter of 30,000 Palestinians has shaken the foundations of Democracy to its core. It will not be forgotten. The Democratic Party is a party of coalitions. As civic leaders have noted it is not up to voters to “save the presidency” rather it is on the establishment to give voters a presidency worth voting for.

I am proud that our campaign has remained committed from the start to equality, security, liberation, and justice for all people in the region, and has continued to passionately call for a ceasefire. As a candidate, I urge every single neighbor, community member, and person of conscience in the Illinois 6th district to use Michigan as a beacon of what can happen.

The 6th district has the highest per capita Muslim population and is extremely diverse. Our incumbent has flatly refused to call for a ceasefire, and further uses language like the “Muslim world will be inflamed by Ramadan”, and calls Arab countries “hostile”, he is not the representative for this district.

We have the numbers to WIN the primary in Illinois District 6, let us stand united in our hope for humanity, let us be inspired by our neighbors in Michigan and get out the vote! Remember early voting has started and there are polling locations near you, as a campaign we urge all to vote early, and remember the last day to vote is Election Day March 19.

For more information about Mahnoor Ahmad and her campaign for the 6th district, please visit https://ahmadforhouse.com/.  Follow @ahmadforhouse on Instagram and Twitter and Mahnoor Ahmad on Facebook.