The left-wing group Black Lives Matter is opposed to Vice President Kamala Harris being appointed as the presumed Democratic nominee without a public vote. They are urging the Democratic National Convention to establish a process that allows for public participation in the nomination process, rather than just a nomination by party delegates. The organization gained prominence in 2020 for organizing protests nationwide after the killing of George Floyd.
Following President Joe Biden’s poor debate performance last month, there was internal pressure within the party for him to withdraw from the race. Despite resisting these calls, Biden unexpectedly dropped out of the race over the weekend and nominated Harris as his replacement. The Democratic Party quickly rallied around Harris, garnering enough delegate support to secure the nomination at the DNC convention in August.
However, Black Lives Matter, which is closely aligned with the Democratic Party, is questioning the legitimacy of this process. They argue that installing Harris as the Democratic nominee and an unknown vice president without any public voting would undermine democratic principles. The group is demanding that the DNC organize an informal, virtual snap primary across the country before the convention in August to ensure public participation in the nomination process.
They criticize the Democratic Party elites and billionaire donors for trying to manipulate Black voters by handpicking Harris and an unknown vice president without a primary vote. Black Lives Matter emphasizes the importance of aligning the nomination process with democratic values, expressing concerns about the lack of transparency regarding Harris’s stance on issues and the record of her potential vice president.
BLM leader Shalomyah Bowers clarifies that their objection is not directed at Harris or Black women, but rather at the nominating process itself. They stress the need for a people-powered process that involves communities across the country in deciding the Democratic ticket, rather than leaving it solely to delegates and party elites. Bowers emphasizes that the quest for democracy requires a serious and inclusive approach to the nomination process.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the Harris campaign were unsuccessful at the time of publication. The concerns raised by Black Lives Matter highlight the importance of transparency, public participation, and democratic values in the nominating process of political candidates.