Arizona cease-fire activists use Marianne Williamson as their primary vessel

PHOENIX — In the absence of protest vote options like the “uncommitted” ballot line in Michigan, Arizona activists calling for a cease-fire in Gaza are harnessing a new vessel for their message: Marianne Williamson.

Tuesday’s Arizona Democratic primary is largely symbolic, given President Joe Biden has already clinched his party’s nomination. But activists are hoping to use Williamson’s continued presence on the state ballot to send a message to the Biden administration on its policy toward Israel.

“We’re not delusional and thinking she may win. That’s not the point,” said Belén Sisa, 30, one of the organizers behind Vote Ceasefire AZ, the group pushing Arizonans to cast their ballot for Williamson.

“We want to take those votes away to send a very clear and measurable message to the Biden administration to say: ‘You need these votes in November. And if you want us to vote for you, then you need to do better and call for a cease-fire,’” Sisa said.

Election rules vary state by state, which means that the “uncommitted” option available in the Minnesota and Michigan primaries doesn’t exist on Arizona’s primary ballot. And without a write-in option, organizers have opted to back Williamson.

“This is not an endorsement of her as a candidate,” said Sisa, adding: “This is just being tactical, and using her name to achieve what we want to achieve.”

Vote Ceasefire AZ’s primary demand is in its name: a permanent and immediate cease-fire and de-escalation of violence in Gaza. And while Biden has called for a temporary cease-fire in the past, the Arizona activist coalition isn’t impressed with how those words are translating into what’s actually happening on the ground.

The president spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin