by
Jordan Acker
The Michigan Democratic convention in Lansing on Saturday had its contentious moments centering on the war in Gaza and University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker, who is Jewish.
At one point, during the National Anthem, a woman started shouting at Acker, a Southfield attorney, about deaths of babies in Gaza and insisting he vote to have the University of Michigan divest of its investments related to Israel, according to videos online. Acker did not respond during the anthem. They also questioned him about a reported sexual assault of a Palestinian prisoner by Israeli soldiers.
"Let me be clear to those who continue to harass me: you will not remove this public Jew from public life," Acker later posted on X.
Some in attendance were also unhappy about the University of Michigan Board of Regents nominees when Incumbent Denise Ilitch and Dr. Shauna Ryder Diggs edged out international civil rights lawyer Huwaida Arraf, who represented students in civil rights cases demanding the university's divestment from Israel, the Detroit News writes, adding:
When the results were announced, Arraf's supporters booed and shouted "show the math," "shame on you" and "in November, we'll remember." Lansing police came to the front of the convention hall at Lansing Center to ensure the group left peacefully.
Before the vote, Arraf said: "No matter what the outcome is we're sending a message because the party really needs to be more inclusive."
Pro-Palestinian groups across the country were angry when they were denied an opportunity to speak at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last week
Acker later took to X to offer his side as to what happened Saturday:
►So I want to talk a little about what happened here, and I think it's both illuminating and an important moment to talk about the future of our party and our country. This thread may take a minute...
►I was making my way to talk to the help desk to get my Voatz app working when a protestor decided to approach me and ask me if I supported the Israeli rape of a Palestinian (I assumed at Sde Teiman). I responded "of course not."
►Now, the cameras were out from this group of @huwaidaarraf supporters, and they decided they wanted to film me. So I asked them a question, "do you support the murder of 1200 Israelis on October 7th"? The protestor hemmed and then started shouting another question.
►I said, respectfully, if you are unwilling to condemn Hamas, we have nothing to talk about, and I walked away. At that moment, the @MichiganDems began playing the national anthem. The protestors continued to shout at me, even though I paused just to be respectful to the flag..
►I want to caveat what I am going to say: I have many friends and allies in the Arab American community. Many have had shabbat dinners in my home. I care deeply about Palestinians and their rights...
►I think there are a lot of people in this movement who care deeply about Palestinian rights. I believe there are a lot who are sick of the bloodshed and sick of the occupation, which is brutal and indefensible, especially in the West Bank.
►But this movement is entirely stained by actors within who see their main mission as eliminating public Jews from public life. The campaign to brand @JoshShapiroPA as a genocide supporter was ridiculous, considering his politics are probably to the left of Tim Walz on Israel.
In June, Acker's Southfield law firm building was hit with Pro-Palestinian graffiti and vandalism.
UM Regent Jordan Acker was approached on the floor at the MDP convention during the national anthem by a woman questioning the university’s stance on the Israel-Gaza war.
— Beth LeBlanc (@DNBethLeBlanc) August 24, 2024
She and several others followed Acker out of the hall afterward. pic.twitter.com/7kSxzSyWwr
