As the U.S. election draws near, a coalition of progressive organizers and activists—calling themselves “Harris Voters for Human Rights”—has taken an unusual dual stand: backing Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and planning protests to push for U.S. accountability in Gaza. With ongoing violence and humanitarian crises in the Gaza Strip, coalition members are channeling their efforts into a strategy that simultaneously supports a Harris victory over Donald Trump while demanding an end to U.S. complicity in what they term “genocide” in Gaza.
The coalition’s members and leaders are vocal, mobilizing in states with significant Arab and Muslim communities. As outlined in a public pledge, they state: “We are fighting to end the horror in Gaza AND defeat fascism.” Harris, they believe, is more likely than Trump to respond to their demands to stop U.S. support for Israel’s aggressive policies, which have reportedly led to tens of thousands of civilian casualties in Gaza. For the coalition, defeating Trump is essential to safeguard Palestinian human rights and to prevent what they see as authoritarianism under a second Trump administration. As one coalition leader put it, “We believe Trump will be even worse for Palestinians.”
Trump’s history of policies supporting Israel’s military stance on Palestinian autonomy has set a tone that “Harris Voters for Human Rights” fears will only worsen if he secures another term. For Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim leaders backing Harris, the decision is a response to the former president’s consistent disregard for Palestinian rights and self-determination. They view his rhetoric and policies as a direct threat not only to Palestinians but also to women, working families, immigrants, and American democratic values.
Kai Newkirk, a co-chair of the Arizona Democratic Party Progressive Council and one of the coalition’s founders, has called on supporters to “put your body where your mouth is” to advocate for Palestinian human rights. Emphasizing the broader implications of a Trump presidency for global and domestic democracy, Newkirk urged undecided voters to recognize that “the fascist Trump will make it even worse for the people of Gaza.” He encouraged supporters to trust that the coalition will continue to press Harris on Palestinian human rights if she is elected.
This coalition’s goals extend beyond Election Day. Members plan to engage in nonviolent civil disobedience on November 12 at the White House, regardless of who wins the presidency, unless significant policy shifts—such as a ceasefire or an arms embargo on Israel—are implemented. The November 12 protest marks the end of a 30-day period given by the Biden administration for Israel to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza or face potential cutbacks on U.S. military aid.
Echoing the coalition’s sentiment, Newkirk asserted that members “will escalate our pressure to end our complicity in this horror.” The coalition’s leadership is actively calling on Harris supporters to physically join these efforts, further signaling their commitment to Palestinian human rights. For Newkirk and others, the upcoming protest is not just symbolic; it represents a growing demand for accountability from elected officials, including Harris, whom they support conditionally on her actions regarding Gaza.
At the heart of the coalition’s demands is the assertion that U.S. support for Israel violates international human rights principles, with serious consequences for Gaza. Human rights groups and legal experts contend that by obstructing American humanitarian aid and continuing its aggressive military operations, Israel is violating conditions that should trigger a U.S. arms embargo under current laws. The coalition and its supporters argue that continuing military aid to Israel equates to complicity in the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
Recent data on civilian casualties and damage to Gaza’s infrastructure highlight the conflict’s devastating impact. Human rights organizations report that Israel’s actions have resulted in tens of thousands of civilian deaths, with the majority being women, children, and the elderly. Entire neighborhoods and critical infrastructure have been destroyed, rendering the situation in Gaza one of the most severe humanitarian crises in recent history. As the Harris coalition frames it, “Israel is violating egregiously in Gaza, where it has killed tens of thousands of civilians, mostly women, children, and the elderly.”
Harris, seeking to gain support from a significant Arab American voting bloc, made a pointed appeal during her campaign stop in Michigan. She pledged to prioritize ending the conflict in Gaza, aiming for “dignity, freedom, security, and self-determination” for Palestinians alongside Israel’s security. Her recent statements have resonated with voters impacted by the crisis, though many remain skeptical about how she intends to achieve such goals.
Harris’s electoral strategy places particular importance on Michigan and other swing states with significant Arab and Muslim populations. Michigan’s large Arab American community, especially in cities like Dearborn, has shown strong interest in the U.S. stance on Gaza. For many voters in these areas, Harris’s pledge could be pivotal. As she stated at her Michigan rally, “I will do everything in my power to end the war in Gaza, to bring home the hostages, end the suffering in Gaza, ensure Israel is secure, and ensure the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, freedom, security, and self-determination.”
“Harris Voters for Human Rights” sees its influence extending beyond this election. By publicly challenging the Biden-Harris administration on Palestinian rights, the coalition has set a precedent for grassroots advocacy that demands accountability on foreign policy. With the support of influential voices like Alan Minsky, executive director of Progressive Democrats of America, the coalition is pushing Harris and other Democratic leaders to align more closely with progressive principles on human rights.
Minsky stated, “He [Trump] has made clear his intention to ruthlessly suppress pro-Palestinian demonstrations, making a mockery of our right to free speech while undermining the foundations of our democracy.” Minsky further urged Democrats to join the coalition’s pledge to send “a powerful message” to voters feeling disillusioned with the Democratic Party’s stance on Palestine. By taking such a stance, the coalition hopes to inspire greater commitment within the Democratic Party to Palestinian rights and international human rights principles.
The “Harris Voters for Human Rights” coalition represents a growing movement for accountability in U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding human rights in Gaza. Coalition members have made it clear that their support for Harris hinges on her response to the Gaza crisis, and they intend to escalate their efforts through protest and public advocacy regardless of the election’s outcome. As Minsky asserted, “A public pledge to uphold our laws without exception would inspire hundreds of thousands of voters who may otherwise refuse to cast their ballots for her.”
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