Crowds Cheer Green Party Presidential Ticket In First Team Visit to Dallas Organised By UTD Muslim Student Association

Green Party presidential candidate Dr. Jill Stein and her running mate, Dr. Butch Ware brought the house down as they addressed over 400 cheering students and community members on Gaza and other pressing national and global issues at one of the city’s celebrated universities last weekend. 

The forum was hosted by the Muslim Student Association at the University of Texas at Dallas in collaboration with CAIR Action TX and UVA, led by Chair Dr Rahman Mohammed. Stein and Ware were the only presidential candidates who accepted the invitation to attend, receiving a resounding reception illustrating their growing voter base among Muslims and progressives. 

Stein was asked by Rahman why she was running again after past runs in 2012 and 2016, "As the American people, we are really in crisis in virtually every dimension of our lives. That includes housing, health care, education and the climate crisis. But we also have a special crisis right now, which is unprecedented. The crisis of genocide." 

She referred directly to the violence in Gaza, stating, "There is a genocide being conducted in our name, with our tax dollars, with our government's full support, economic support, diplomatic cover, intelligence support, on every front." 

Her VP nominee, Dr. Butch Ware, a professor of Black Studies and Islamic Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, echoed this sense of urgency.

He called out both major U.S. political parties, refusing to single out Republicans, saying, "All of this representation in the Democratic party, what exactly has it earned you? They slaughter Palestinians like animals and then muzzle them like animals, not even letting them speak on the stage at the Democratic National Convention." 

His criticism of the political system emphasized the need for change, both in U.S. foreign policy and in the way Palestinian voices are treated. 

Stein highlighted a critical statistic from recent polls: "Sixty-eight percent of Americans oppose the genocide. Nearly as many want an immediate weapons embargo on Israel." 

She stressed that her campaign is the only one representing these voices, stating, "This is what the Democrats are actually terrified of—that people should discover that there is a campaign that represents their interests, not only to stop genocide, apartheid, occupation, and ethnic cleansing but to end all of that. On day one, the president can pick up the phone to say that this genocidal war is over now." 

Ware, a Muslim convert, has been highly critical of Muslims voting for Biden-Harris in a series of social media posts which has led to some controversy. 

The was addressed by AMT editor, Rifat Malik who asked Ware about a response by political commentator Mehdi Hasan accusing him of “Takfiring” - attacking fellow Muslims who disagree with him, to which he responded, “What we do in this life, if we call ourselves Muslims, actually has consequences on the day of judgment. It is a simple fact that if you do not believe in the well-preserved tablet that inscribes your name next to genocide, then surely you believe in the tablets of history. Every single person that supported, morally or materially, this ongoing genocide in Gaza will be judged by their fellow man if they are not judged by God."

Those attending described the event as a much-needed opportunity for political discourse and many felt they now had an option beyond the two establishment parties. 

“I feel like it's really unfair that people think the better of two evils is what we should be voting for," said Rania Asim, a 20-year-old sophomore at UT Dallas. “It's just so refreshing that we don't have to vote for the lesser of two evils and we have the option to vote for someone who is just better." 

Rania, who is pre-med and majoring in psychology will be voting for the first time in this election and was excited to support a candidate like Stein, who she feels advocates for Muslims and Palestinian people. 

Inayat Ali Rajani, a 69-year-old resident of Richardson, initially came to the event because his wife and daughter encouraged him. 

"I’m a Trump voter, but my wife and my daughter insisted I come here and give support to the Green Party," Rajani admitted he had a change of heart. "I'm finally changing my mind. I’m going to vote for the Green Party.” 

He says his dissatisfaction with both major parties led him to reconsider his initial decision. 

Jordan Harrington, 23, an MBA student at SMU, came to the event undecided, "I really don't like the two candidates. I want to see the parties realign... if Jill Stein has a good platform, then I’ll consider voting for her." 

Even younger attendees felt strongly about the event’s message. Nia Yasser, a 14-year-old freshman at McMillan High, was passionate about making a difference despite not being able to vote. 

"It’s time for corrupt regimes to end,” she said. “Red and blue have blood on their hands, and racism needs to come to an end. I think Jill Stein and Butch Ware can make that happen." 

She emphasized that even though she couldn’t vote, she believed her presence could inspire others to take action.