Black Lives Matter (BLM) surprisingly came out against the Democratic Party for “anointing” Vice President Kamala Harris as the expected Democrat presidential nominee and circumventing the public vote.
Joe Biden stepped down from the presidential race on Sunday, endorsing Harris as the ticket to face Donald Trump.
Within just 24 hours, Harris had secured the support of enough Democratic delegates to become her party’s nominee.
Black Lives Matter criticized Democrats for not giving voters a say, calling on the Democratic National Committee to host a virtual snap primary ahead of the party’s convention this August.
Black Lives Matter wrote on x:
Timeline of Events
— Black Lives Matter (@Blklivesmatter) July 23, 2024
Sunday
•Joe Biden drops out.
•Kamala Harris announces campaign with Biden endorsement.
•Kamala Harris says she is going to work hard to earn the nomination.
•Kamala Harris makes calls to party delegates.
Monday
•Kamala Harris continues making calls to… pic.twitter.com/ZxzyxegZin
“Democratic Party elites and billionaire donors are attempting to manipulate Black voters by anointing Kamala Harris and an unknown vice president as the new Democratic ticket without a primary vote by the public,” Black Lives Matter said in a statement.
“This blatant disregard for democratic principles is unacceptable. While the potential outcome of a Harris presidency may be historic, the process to achieve it must align with true democratic values.”
The organization added:
“We do not live in a dictatorship. Delegates are not oligarchs.”
“Any attempt to evade or override the will of voters in our primary system—no matter how historic the candidate—must be condemned.”
“We demand an informal, virtual snap primary now that the incumbent president is no longer in the running.”
BLM said that not including the voters in the electoral process could undermine Harris and others.
“Let us be clear: This is about the Democratic Party following a process that protects the legitimacy of any future Democratic president following this unprecedented moment,” the statement said.
“Installing Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee and an unknown vice president without any public voting process would make the modern Democratic Party a party of hypocrites. It would undermine their credibility on issues related to democracy.
“Imagine our first Black woman president not having won some sort of public nomination process.”
“The pundits would immediately label it as affirmative action or a DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] move, and any progress made by a President Harris would be on shaky foundations.”
“If Kamala Harris is to be the nominee, it must be through a process that upholds democratic principles and public participation.”
READ: Democrat Maxwell Frost Says Calling Kamala Harris a ‘DEI Hire’ Is Racist: ‘Like Using the N-Word’
