Washington: Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden vowed that his administration would reflect the diversity of America “with Muslim Americans serving at every level”, reiterating his pledge to repeal President Donald Trump’s “Muslim ban” on his first day in office.
In a video to a Muslim spokesperson for a civil rights organization, Biden on Wednesday emphasized his unified message against hatred and bigotry.
“Today, trust is ebbing; hope seems elusive. Instead of healing, we’re being ripped apart,” Biden said. “And I refuse to let that happen. We have too bright a future to leave it shipwrecked on the shoals of anger and division.”
As a candidate, Trump had vowed to impose a “complete shutdown” of Muslims entering the United States – a promise that critics say he put into action when he imposed a travel ban on several Muslim-majority counties early in his presidency.
Beyond his pledge to undo that ban, Biden promised to push legislation to combat hate crime.
“As president, I’ll work with you to rip the poison of hate from our society, honour your contributions and seek your ideas,” the former vice president said on Wednesday. “My administration will look like America, Muslim Americans serving at every level.”
Biden’s remarks to Muslim advocates were his second speech to a Muslim organization since he was nominated by the Democratic Party. He spoke at an Emgage virtual conference in July.
The Democratic candidate also talked about broader issues in his speech, pushed forward his plan to fight Covid-19, and ended “severe inequalities in health care, education, and opportunities,” he said. The pandemic was amplified.
He said that his government will rebuild the criminal justice system so that it “focuses on salvation, not retribution.”
Biden urged the visual audience to vote and encouraged others to participate in the election.
“Please get everyone you know to vote – friends, family and colleagues, the whole community,” Biden said.
Although Muslims make up only a small portion of American voters, their communities are concentrated in key swing states that Trump won by a narrow margin in 2016, including Michigan.
“We can’t let anyone think their voices don’t count because the American people decide this election and define our future, the American people – you,” Biden said on Wednesday. “There’s not a single thing we can’t do if we do it together. So let’s spread the faith; let’s get to work.”
Since early voting has already begun, the US general election may be decided on November 3, and opinion polls show that Biden has taken a major lead. Nonetheless, Trump ignored predictions and polls when he defeated Hillary Clinton in 2016.
This is why supporters of the Democratic Party warn people not to be complacent and emphasize the importance of each vote.
On Tuesday, Senator Bernie Sanders, Biden’s former main opponent, hosted a virtual “get rid of the vote” campaign featuring Muslim American elected officials highlighting political participation and the “historic” turnout of the community to defeat The necessity of Trump.
“We’re going to go in masses to the voting booth. And I’m calling on our Muslims across the country to know that we have to take up the man who birthed the Muslim ban,” Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib said. “We have to make sure we out-vote the hate.”
