Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced she will skip the upcoming state Democratic convention, citing safety concerns and the party's insufficient efforts to combat antisemitism.
Nessel, the first Jewish person elected to statewide executive office in Michigan, said she and other Jewish elected officials face a "barrage of antisemitic threats." While these threats are not new, she noted a decline in civil discourse within the state Democratic Party.
"I would say absolutely they're not" doing enough to address antisemitism, Nessel stated in an interview with MS NOW "State of Play" host Peter Alexander. She expressed particular concern that five defendants indicted in June for allegedly conspiring to threaten and harass Jewish organizations and Democratic officials are members of the Michigan Democratic Party and will be permitted to attend the convention.
"It's just baffling to me that while these charges are pending, they're going to be allowed to be there despite, you know, these credible charges against them," Nessel said.
Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Curtis Hertel responded to the indictment, stating the party is "appalled by the details of this indictment and the hateful, antisemitic threats that took place." He added, "The Michigan Democratic Party condemns all acts of hatred and violence, which have no place in Michigan and should not be tolerated."
Nessel urged the party to enforce a code of conduct at the convention that would prevent harassment and booing of speakers. "We should all have the opportunity to be heard," she said.
A party spokesperson affirmed their commitment to ensuring party events are safe and secure for all attendees. "We reject antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hateful conduct," the spokesperson said. "We are working diligently with stakeholders, elected officials, and party membership to prepare for our August convention and look forward to welcoming Michigan Democrats to the Lansing Center on August 29."
Nessel also addressed the rhetoric of Democratic Senate primary winner Abdul El-Sayed, urging him to "tone down his rhetoric" ahead of the general election. Nessel suggested that focusing on issues like AIPAC and the actions of the Israeli government should not be central to every discussion, particularly when addressing domestic policy goals such as healthcare reform.
"If we're talking about, you know, reforming healthcare, which all of us want to do in the party, you know, it's not AIPAC that is responsible for the problems," Nessel explained. She indicated plans to meet with El-Sayed to discuss his campaign language and some of the surrogates he employs, citing concerns from some party members.
Nessel had previously announced her decision not to attend the August 29 nominating convention, anticipating harassment. "I feel like my presence isn't going to be welcome. I don't want to get chased around. I don't want to get harassed. I don't want to get yelled and screamed at. I don't want to get booed off the stage, irrespective of what I'm saying," she said, according to Michigan Advance. "And I believe that if I go, that is what will happen because it's been happening to me."