The Detroit News reports:

The United Auto Workers and the head of the Michigan Democratic Party on Thursday called on organizers of the Democratic National Convention to allow a Palestinian American to address delegates at the final night of the four-day convention amid deep divisions in the party over Israel’s war in Gaza.

Uncommitted delegates and supporters staged a sit-in after being told by DNC officials Wednesday night that there wouldn’t be a Palestinian American speaking from the convention’s main stage inside Chicago’s United Center, and they appeared to be continuing the protest Thursday morning.

In a social media post Thursday morning, the Detroit-based auto workers union voiced support for their efforts to secure a speaking slot during the final night of the four-day convention.

“If we want the war in Gaza to end, we can’t put our heads in the sand or ignore the voices of the Palestinian Americans in the Democratic Party,” the UAW wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “If we want peace, if we want real democracy, and if we want to win this election, the Democratic Party must allow a Palestinian American speaker to be heard from the DNC stage tonight.”

By early evening, the Michigan Democratic Party issued a statement saying state party chairwoman Lavora Barnes “believes that a Palestinian American should have a speaking role at the DNC tonight so that their voices can be heard — all of our delegates are part of our Michigan Democratic party family.” [Continue reading…]

If we want the war in Gaza to end, we can’t put our heads in the sand or ignore the voices of the Palestinian Americans in the Democratic Party. If we want peace, if we want real democracy, and if we want to win this election, the Democratic Party must allow a Palestinian…

— UAW (@UAW) August 22, 2024