Muslim coalition leads early voting rally in Dearborn
(CBS DETROIT) — Many people in the local Muslim communities have felt overlooked by politicians in recent years, and now they're coming together to make sure their voices are heard.
The Muslim Coalition of Michigan organized a rally in Dearborn Saturday afternoon where their main message was, no matter how Arab and Muslim voters in Michigan feel politically, they have to cast their ballot.
"This was a rally to gather folks and energize them and remind them that the power is in their hands," said Mona Mawari, lead organizer of the event. "It's not about any candidates, it's not about elections, it's about us. And we're just here to claim our voice."
And the Republican and Democratic party's fight for votes in Michigan, much of the heavily Arab population in Dearborn has reservations with both parties.. mainly because of policies regarding the Middle East.
"The sense that I get is that the majority of the people are inclined towards a third party, towards Jill Stein, to make a clear statement that we do not support either of these parties that continue to fund these wars against our people," said Saleema Nawb, member of the Muslim Coalition of Michigan.
Regardless of which candidate members of this community vote for, organizers said their only goal is to push people to vote, and to encourage them to do the same for others.
"People are differing on their opinion on who they want to vote for, but what scares me most is to end up having voting apathy and that's the last thing we want for our community," said Micho Assi, community organizer.
After everyone spoke in front of the crowd, the organizers of the event brought in two buses to bring people directly to their early voting location.