Sanders’ supporters and the #FreePalestine movement rally outside the convention center. PHOTO: Wihad Al-Tawil

PHILADELPHIA — Local Arab Americans partook in the unprecedented discord that transpired outside of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) this week. 

Tensions reached a boiling point just hours before the kick-off of the convention, following leaked emails that ousted party chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz for attempting to sabotage Bernie Sanders’ campaign. 

Among a sea of Bernie Sanders supporters marching outside the convention from July 25-July 28 were Arab Americans from the metro Detroit area.

Wihad Al-Tawil, a resident of West Bloomfield, told The AANews that she drove down to Philadelphia with other Sanders supporters to demonstrate her discontent with the Democratic Party’s direction.

“There were thousands of people in Bernie Sanders clothing and signs, marching for him and the revolution,” Al-Tawil said. “The energy to continue the political revolution was incredible.”

Amongst the masses were Dr. Cornel West, Dr. Jill Stein, Senator Nina Turner, and actors such as Danny Glover and Rosario Dawson. They were standing with protestors in the streets to let the DNC know that “election fraud is not an issue to be taken lightly.”

Al-Tawil said she was fulfilled to see a diverse group of people lead marches during the convention. She noted that the #BlackLivesMatter campaign and the #FreePalestine movement played a heavy role outside the doors of the Wells Fargo Center. 

What she didn’t see, however, was a movement for Democratic Party nominee Hillary Clinton. 

“I didn’t see a single Hillary supporter and I was there for three days,” Al-Tawil said. “I couldn’t even find a Hillary sign. But I saw about 5,000 Bernie supporters each day flooding the streets and parks at various marches and events.”

Al-Tawil felt that the mainstream media attempted to cast a monumental occasion once Clinton was declared the nominee and became the first woman to nab the title. 

However, what wasn’t covered on the major networks was the massive walkout that occurred during Clinton’s “historic” moment.

“I was able to see the live stream of what was going on inside,” Al-Tawil said. “And the most powerful moment was when the delegates staged a walk-out after the nomination was given to Hillary. Some estimated that half of the convention walked out in protest.” 

Prominent filmmaker Josh Fox posted a video of the nearly empty convention center. “What was greatly disturbing to me was that this walk-out was not covered by the mainstream news,” Al-Tawil said. “In fact, over the course of the week we found out that the Bernie delegates inside were being mistreated, stripped of their credentials and even kicked out so that the convention appeared to be unified. It was not.”

Al-Tawil said she’s returned from the convention with a brand-new perspective on her political affiliation. She no longer considers herself a Democrat. 

“Personally, my experience in Philadelphia validates the feeling I’ve had lately that the Democratic Party is like the Republicans in that it is a corrupt party that caters to big money interests and lobbyist groups,” Al-Tawil said. “I’ve always been a very big supporter of democratic values and still am, which is why after seeing what happened during the primary season, it’s just unacceptable to me. From this point forward, I’m going to be an Independent voter until the Democratic Party regains my trust and caters to the will of the people.”