AbandonHarris Movement: A Voice for Gaza and American Muslim Discontent

Hudhayfah Ahmad, spokesperson for the AbandonHarris movement, is a passionate advocate for Palestinian rights and a vocal critic of American political complicity in global injustices. 

Leading a grassroots initiative that urged disenchanted voters to rethink their loyalties to the Democratic party in the 2024 election, Ahmad's work illuminated the power of collective action. 

In an interview on The Muslim Viewpoint, Ahmad discussed the impact of Gaza's crisis on the recent U.S. elections, the evolution of his movement and the future of American Muslim political strategy in America. 

The Democrats faced a historic loss in the 2024 election. Can you quantify the role the crisis in Gaza played in this result?

Absolutely. The swing states—Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Georgia—showed margins of victory for Trump smaller than the Muslim American population in these areas. This indicates that disaffected Muslims and allies horrified by the administration’s policies in Gaza made a significant impact. The genocide intervention became a rallying cry, uniting diverse groups to vote third party or abstain entirely. 

Despite this, mainstream media seems to downplay Gaza’s influence. What’s your take on this? 

The silence is deafening. With few exceptions, like The New York Times and Fox News, the media largely ignored our movement’s impact. This is indicative of a political elite unwilling to confront their complicity. Our movement’s goals—initially “Abandon Biden” and later “Abandon Harris”—were to disrupt a status quo that ignored our red lines. 

The AbandonHarris movement endorsed Jill Stein. What challenges did you face in consolidating support for a third party candidate? 

It was challenging. Many feared splitting the vote, while others questioned whether third parties could effectively represent anti-genocide stances. However, our message was clear: voting third party was a moral imperative, not just a political strategy. Trump’s anti-war rhetoric late in the campaign complicated matters, as some voters shifted to the Republicans, believing it a protest vote against the Democrats. 

Some argue that Vice President Harris had a more sympathetic stance toward Palestinians compared to Biden. Why pivot to targeting her? 

We gave Harris a chance to distance herself from Biden’s Zionist policies—four weeks, to be precise. She didn’t. Her campaign doubled down on supporting Israel, proving she was aligned with Biden’s monstrous foreign policy. By August, it was clear she wouldn’t budge before or after securing votes, which vindicated our shift to “Abandon Harris.” 

Critics within the American Muslim community suggest decades of Democratic engagement yielded tangible benefits, like increased Muslim representation in government. Why abandon that progress? 

Representation without accountability is hollow. Despite two decades of Democratic support, we’ve seen no meaningful change regarding U.S. complicity in Israel’s atrocities. Bullets still reach Israeli guns, ending Palestinian lives. Many so-called community leaders have acted more as Democratic liaisons than genuine representatives of Muslim concerns. 

The uncommitted movement also sought to hold Democrats accountable but took a different approach. Was there any collaboration? 

Initially, yes. During the primaries, we united to galvanize the Muslim vote against Biden. However, the Uncommitted movement believed they could reform the party from within. We didn’t. When reports revealed they accepted $430,000 from a pro-Democratic PAC, barring them from endorsing third parties, their credibility crumbled. 

Critics say some of your rhetoric risks alienating allies or being counterproductive. How do you respond? 

I understand the concern but reject equivocation. We start at the root—colonialism and systemic oppression. Both-sides-ism only dilutes the truth. Platforms dominated by Zionist narratives won’t hand us space; we must demand it by speaking unequivocally. 

With Trump’s return to power and his pro-Israel cabinet picks, do you fear the movement’s efforts backfired? 

Not at all. Trump’s presidency lays bare U.S. imperialism and will likely galvanize greater support for Palestinians. The atrocities under Biden are continuing, but now with a Republican face, prompting broader outrage. 

What’s next for the AbandonHarris movement? 

We’re regrouping. The focus remains on pressuring Biden in his final months while strategizing for Trump’s tenure. Volunteers are taking a well-deserved break, but we’ll return stronger, advocating for justice and forming a coalition that truly represents Muslim American interests—not as a Democratic appendage, but as an independent force.