Black Lives Matter demands DNC host virtual primary, advocates for public participation

Black Lives Matter demanded that the Democratic National Committee immediately host an informal, virtual snap primary nationwide before the Democratic National Convention in August.

The organization’s call comes after Vice President Kamala Harris secured enough delegates for the nomination on Monday.

In a statement, BLM called on the Democratic party leaders to allow public participation in the nomination process instead of leaving the decision to party delegates.

“The current political landscape is unprecedented, with President Biden stepping aside in a manner never seen before. This moment calls for decisive action to protect the integrity of our democracy and the voices of Black voters,” BLM said in a statement.

“Now, Democratic Party elites and billionaire donors are attempting to manipulate Black voters by anointing Kamala Harris and an unknown vice president as the new Democratic ticket without a primary vote by the public. This blatant disregard for democratic principles is unacceptable. While the potential outcome of a Harris presidency may be historic, the process to achieve it must align with true democratic values. We have no idea where Kamala Harris stands on the issues, now that she has assumed Joe Biden’s place, and we have no idea of the record of her potential vice president because we don’t even know who it is yet.”

BLM leader Shalomyah Bowers told Reuters that the statement represents the views of many stakeholders in BLM’s Global Network but that individual chapters of the group are autonomous and may have a different view

The statement from BLM, a decentralized political and social organization, that helped lead global protest over police violence in 2020, disrupts the steady stream of public support from Democratic leaders for Harris after President Joe Biden announced his support for her on Sunday.

Reuters reported that the Harris campaign has raised over $100 million, with millions coming from the rapid mobilization of Black leaders and advocates since Biden’s endorsement.

Harris would be the first Black woman and Asian American to become the Democratic presidential candidate and the first Black woman and Asian American to be president should she win the election in November.

BLM noted that while the potential outcome of a Harris presidency maybe historic, “the process to achieve it must align with true democratic values.”

Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison said the party will deliver a presidential nominee by Aug. 7.

“The process has been fair. It’s been open. It’s been transparent,” Harrison said during a Tuesday morning Today Show interview.

The full statement from BLM can be found here.