Pro-Palestinian Protesters call for an end to genocide in this 2024 Presidential election.

Photo via Reuters

KAHWIT TELA: On Oct. 5, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters in Washington, D.C. gathered around the White House on the International Day of Action. 

Washington was one of the many cities worldwide where protesters marched demanding an end to Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza, which has killed over 42,000 Palestinians according to the United Nations. The death toll in Gaza, however, may be estimated to be over 186,000 Palestinians according to Lancet, a British Medical Journal. With the 2024 Presidential election happening in less than two weeks, voters are wondering who they will (or won’t) vote for in this upcoming election after a year of endless tragedy. 

Sumayya Tova, an Egyptian American who marched in solidarity with the protesters, says that she’s unsure who she will vote for in the upcoming election: “I don’t agree with anything that [Donald Trump] stands for but I also feel like the Democrats have not been listening to the demands of the people,” said Tova. “A majority of Americans would like to see a ceasefire and would like to see a stopping of arms sales to Israel.” Tova continues “So, it’s important that we have politicians who listen to what it is that we want.”

According to the Harvard Caps Poll, 14% of voters say they are unsure who they would vote for despite the election happening in less than a month. Some voters have turned to an “uncommitted” vote to protest both Harris and Trump, or vote for a third-party candidate. A notable example of a Third Party candidate is Jill Stein. Due to her outspoken support for Palestine and criticism of the US approach to the onslaught, Stein has gained support from Muslim and Arab communities.

Manzer, who did not give his last name for privacy concerns, is a political organizer for Jill Stein’s campaign. He began considering Stein’s candidacy three months ago and became convinced after Stein chose Butch Ware, a Muslim-American activist and professor at the University of Santa Barbara- California, as her running-mate.

As a Pakistani-American, this motivated Manzer to go out and organize votes for Stein’s campaign. A Jill Stein flier accompanied by QR codes directing Stein’s Campaign site was taped up on Manzer’s back for fellow protesters to scan.

He remains disappointed that neither Trump nor Harris will take a stand with the Palestinian people, let alone attend a pro-Palestinian protest: “Why have [pro-Palestinian protesters] been protesting for a whole year?” asked Manzer.  “Genocide for a whole year and both [Harris and Trump] have never come to any protest or sent anyone from their teams to protest.” 

Currently, Stein is on the ballot for 38 states and has about 1% of the national polling vote according to The New York Times. Manzer continues, “When you look people in the eye and be like ‘how much have you done for Palestinian voices in the last year’ and they say ‘no’, you know they’re not your friends.”

Caroline, a Lebanese-American protestor who refrained from giving her full name for privacy, came to find solidarity amidst tragic events in Lebanon. With a sign that reads, “Hamas ≠ Palestinians, Hezbollah ≠ Lebanese, IDF ≠ Jews,” Caroline pleads for people to focus less on division and to mourn the loss of innocent lives of civilians.

“This isn’t about the religion or the groups,” said Caroline. “It’s about the civilians who are being pummeled,” she continues. “I’m tired of being labeled ‘anti-Semitic’ when I’m not. I’m really just mourning the loss of so many innocent people and it’s just awful.” Caroline plans on voting for Harris this November as she believes that there will be more change than if Trump was elected.

Donning a red MAGA hat, Lawrence Marsolais is casting his vote for Trump due to his frustrations with the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict. Marsolais was outraged over Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7 but became upset with the Israeli government for “making” the US government support their assault on Gaza.

“The Government of Israel is using America’s good name to support its genocide,” said Marsolais, “Genocide is not an American value.”After previously voting for Trump in 2016 & 2020, Marsolais will vote for Trump a third time and will hold him to the same standards as Biden to end the Israeli siege. 

Harris and Trump are close in terms of votes with 48.1% and 46.4% respectively according to FiveThirtyEight. While the winner of the presidential election will be eventually decided, the world remains uncertain when the massacre of Palestinians will end and how the elected president will work to end it.