News • Opinons • Politics

Sanders Wins Backing of Top Muslim Political Group

Emgage PAC, which calls itself the biggest Muslim political action committee in the country, is throwing its weight behind Bernie Sanders.

The organization, which has chapters and affiliates in 11 states, is the latest in a series of high-profile Muslim groups and elected officials to endorse the Vermont senator.

Wa’el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage Action, said Sanders is popular among Muslim voters because of his health care plan, criminal justice proposals and environmental policy. He also noted his international affairs platform and record of supporting Palestinian rights



Reporter’s Notebook: A Democratic majority could expose the limits of the progressive agenda
Ilhan Omar’s daughters show up at scene of DC raid as rumors swirl about embattled rep’s whereabouts
Zelenskyy Holds Closed-Door Meeting with U.S. Senators, Urges Them to Turn Up the Heat on Trump
Breaking: Social Security Administration Cleans Up Records, Correctly Marks Millions as Deceased
Latest US-Ukraine tensions could determine these battleground races
French PM says far-left groups forged ‘insurrectionary plan’ against government
Italy sending hundreds of soldiers into Milan to quell days of violent riots
Bruce Blakeman hammers Dem Gov Hochul, Mamdani over subway safety during NYC campaign ride
Food delivery favorite forced to fork over millions after DOJ alleged discrimination against American workers
South Korea Kidnaps American Christian, Ex-Diplomat Who Dared to Criticize Nation’s President While on US Soil
US Chopper Spots Speed Boat Carrying 4,000 Pounds of Cocaine – Central American Authorities Seize It All
China ties suspected in sprawling California pot operations as GOP urges FBI probe
American who fled US after allegedly killing pregnant wife could return within days with murder charge dropped
Bush family royalty backs Democrat in battle to flip Texas blue
Dashcam video captures small plane crashing on San Jose highway, injuring three on board, including child

See also  When purity politics runs its course: Even the most strident DSA politicians must learn to compromise

“More than any other presidential candidate, Sen. Sanders has built a historically inclusive and forward-thinking movement: one that represents America as a set of ideas grounded in the belief that all humans are equal and worthy of a dignified life,” he said. “Our endorsement is intended to galvanize Muslim Americans at the polls to ensure that our voices are heard.”

An informal survey of Emgage’s members and email list users found that nearly 75 percent said they support Sanders.

Sanders was one of only two 2020 candidates to attend a presidential candidate forum co-hosted by Emgage at the Islamic Society of North America’s annual convention. That didn’t go unnoticed by Muslim leaders, who have argued that most of the 2020 contenders have all but neglected them.


Reporter’s Notebook: A Democratic majority could expose the limits of the progressive agenda
Ilhan Omar’s daughters show up at scene of DC raid as rumors swirl about embattled rep’s whereabouts
Zelenskyy Holds Closed-Door Meeting with U.S. Senators, Urges Them to Turn Up the Heat on Trump
Breaking: Social Security Administration Cleans Up Records, Correctly Marks Millions as Deceased
Latest US-Ukraine tensions could determine these battleground races
French PM says far-left groups forged ‘insurrectionary plan’ against government
Italy sending hundreds of soldiers into Milan to quell days of violent riots
Bruce Blakeman hammers Dem Gov Hochul, Mamdani over subway safety during NYC campaign ride
Food delivery favorite forced to fork over millions after DOJ alleged discrimination against American workers
South Korea Kidnaps American Christian, Ex-Diplomat Who Dared to Criticize Nation’s President While on US Soil
US Chopper Spots Speed Boat Carrying 4,000 Pounds of Cocaine – Central American Authorities Seize It All
China ties suspected in sprawling California pot operations as GOP urges FBI probe
American who fled US after allegedly killing pregnant wife could return within days with murder charge dropped
Bush family royalty backs Democrat in battle to flip Texas blue
Dashcam video captures small plane crashing on San Jose highway, injuring three on board, including child

See also  When purity politics runs its course: Even the most strident DSA politicians must learn to compromise

“From where we’re sitting and what we’ve seen, it doesn’t seem that any major candidate has reached out in the same way,” Alzayat said.

Sanders’ relationship with Muslim voters contributed to his upset victory in Michigan in the 2016 presidential primary. This year, Sanders has won the support of Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, the first two Muslim women elected to the House.

“It is an honor to receive this endorsement from Emgage Action,” Sanders said in a statement. “While Donald Trump has demonized our Muslim communities, our movement is working to bring Muslims and people of all backgrounds into the political system. Together we will create an economy, justice system and immigration system that are rooted in human rights for all.”

Story cited here.

Share this article:
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter