In Michigan’s Arab-American Epicenter, Support for Jill Stein

Michigan Muslims are being courted by presidential candidate Jill Stein

HAMTRAMCK, Mich. — In this city with the highest concentration of Arab Americans anywhere in the country, the Green Party faithful are knocking on doors, making phone calls and hosting neighborhood gatherings, all with one message: Jill Stein can win Michigan.

The city's large Muslim population, which voted heavily for Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary, is a key target for Stein's campaign. Many of them are frustrated with the Democratic establishment and drawn to Stein's progressive message on issues such as immigration, economic inequality and climate change.

"I think she's the only candidate who's really talking about the issues that matter to us," said Fatima Ahmed, a 23-year-old Hamtramck resident who is volunteering for the Stein campaign. "She's not afraid to stand up for what she believes in, even when it's not popular."

Stein's campaign has made a concerted effort to reach out to Muslim voters, and she has spoken out against Islamophobia on several occasions. She has also pledged to appoint a Muslim to her cabinet if she is elected.

"We're building a movement of people who are tired of the status quo," said Stein at a recent rally in Hamtramck. "We're not going to let the big money interests divide us. We're going to come together and fight for a better future for all Americans."

Hamtramck is a microcosm of the growing Muslim population in the United States. The city's 28,000 residents are majority Muslim, and they come from a variety of countries, including Yemen, Iraq, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Many of Hamtramck's Muslim residents are first-generation immigrants who are still struggling to make ends meet. They are also concerned about the rise of Islamophobia in the United States, and they are looking for a candidate who will stand up for their rights.

Stein's message of hope and change has resonated with many Muslim voters in Hamtramck. They see her as a candidate who is not afraid to speak out against injustice, and they believe that she can make a difference in their lives.

"I'm voting for Jill Stein because she's the only candidate who cares about people like me," said Ahmed. "She's not afraid to stand up for what she believes in, and she's not going to sell us out to the highest bidder."