Ahmed Ghanim, a former congressional candidate in Michigan, says he was kicked out of one of Vice President Kamala Harris’ events without an explanation, deepening strains between the Democratic nominee and the Arab community in the swing state.
Mr. Ghanim said he signed up to attend the event at the Royal Oak Music Theatre in the Detroit suburbs and went through security before being escorted away from his seat.
“They didn’t provide any reason why they kicked me out of the rally,” he said in a video on social media. “I don’t know why, because maybe I’m Muslim? Maybe, I dunno.”
He said the incident would not help Ms. Harris in her attempts to attract Arab American votes in Michigan. Parts of the voting bloc are upset about the Biden-Harris administration’s support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
“They know me, they know me very well. It’s not like I’m no one,” Mr. Ghanim said.
Mr. Ghanim, a health care professional with a medical degree, received more than 12,000 votes in his Democratic primary loss to incumbent Rep. Haley Stevens in the Detroit district earlier this year. Ms. Stevens received more than 83,000 votes in the primary.
The Harris campaign said it was informed of the incident by Emgage Action, an organization that advocates for Muslim Americans’ legislative priorities.
“Our campaign regrets this action and its impact on Dr. Ghanim and the community, and he is welcome at future events,” the campaign said. “We value our relationship with the Muslim American community and are committed to ensuring all community and political spaces are welcoming and respectful to every American.”
Michigan has 15 electoral votes. Former President Donald Trump narrowly won the state in 2016, but President Biden won it in 2020.
Ms. Harris is locked in a fierce battle with Mr. Trump for the state, but her campaign is contending with pro-Palestinian voters who are against Israel’s actions. Their protests have interrupted Ms. Harris’ campaign events.
Mr. Ghanim immigrated from Egypt to Michigan and has been openly critical of Israel’s military campaigns and support from Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris for the Jewish State.
“With the killing of a Hezbollah leader, Israel is eager to provoke Iran into a full-scale war, potentially escalating the regional war into World War III,” Mr. Ghanim said on X in late September. “If Iran becomes involved, China and Russia could follow, setting the entire world on fire.”
Mr. Ghanim posted a screenshot of his invitation to the event with Ms. Harris and former Rep. Liz Cheney, a Wyoming Republican who says Mr. Trump is a threat to the country.
The Royal Oak Police Department told WXYZ in Detroit that someone at the venue wanted Mr. Ghanim to leave the event. It also confirmed that a person in a video from the venue is a detective on the police force.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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