Black Lives Matter Condemns DNC for ‘Anointing’ of Harris

Black Lives Matter (BLM) has called on the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to conduct a “virtual snap primary” in response to the party’s decision to effectively nominate Vice President Kamala Harris following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race.

BLM criticized the “anointing” of Harris without a primary vote, arguing that delegates should not override the will of voters.

“We do not live in a dictatorship,” BLM wrote. “Delegates are not oligarchs. Any attempt to evade or override the will of voters in our primary system-must be condemned. We demand an informal, virtual snap primary now that the incumbent president is no longer in the running.”

"We call for the Rules Committee to create a process that allows for public participation in the nomination process, not just a nomination by party delegates," @Blklivesmatter said in a statement provided to Reuters.

— Kat Stafford (@kat__stafford) July 23, 2024

The group expressed concerns over the current political actions within the Democratic Party, including the lack of debates during the primary and adjustments to the primary schedule that hindered other candidates.

“Black Lives Matter demands that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) immediately host an informal, virtual snap primary across the country prior to the DNC convention in August,” BLM added.

“We call for the Rules Committee to create a process that allows for public participation in the nomination process, not just a nomination by party delegates.”

“This moment calls for decisive action to protect the integrity of our democracy and the voices of Black voters,” the group wrote. “While Joe Biden wasn’t our preferred candidate, we cannot ignore the troubling actions of the Democratic Party.”

“Now, 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. This blatant disregard for democratic principles is unacceptable,” they added.

“While the potential outcome of a Harris presidency may be historic, the process to achieve it must align with true democratic values. We have no idea where Kamala Harris stands on the issues, now that she has assumed Joe Biden’s place, and we have no idea of the record of her potential vice president because we don’t even know who it is yet.

BLM emphasized the need for public participation in the nomination process, asserting that while they do not question Harris’s qualifications, the democratic process must be honored.

“This is not an attack on Kamala Harris or Black women, and right now we aren’t questioning Kamala’s qualifications or capabilities,” BLM leader Shalomyah Bowers said. “This is about the nominating process.”