'If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that': Harris fires back at Gaza protesters at rally
Show Caption Hide Caption Kamala Harris shuts down protestor Kamala Harris shuts down protestor at Detroit rally. Maven - Meidas Touch
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, fired back at pro-Palestinian protesters of Israel's war in Gaza as they interrupted her speech during a Wednesday night campaign rally in Detroit.
"You know what? If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I'm speaking," Harris said with a long stare, drawing loud cheers from supporters in the crowd before chants of, "Not going back!"
The exchange was a reminder of the lingering divisions among Democrats over the war in the Middle East that pose challenges for Harris in her race against former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee.
As Harris spoke, a group of protesters interrupted the vice president about halfway through her remarks: "Kamala, Kamala, you can’t hide! We won’t vote for genocide,” they shouted.
More: Harris, Walz bring historic campaign to Michigan, rallying at Detroit Metro Airport
Harris initially responded: “I’m here because I believe in democracy. I believe everyone’s voice matters. But I’m speaking now. I am speaking now." But the interruptions continued as Harris tried to discuss the ramifications of a second Trump presidency.
More than 15,000 people attended the Harris rally held at a Detroit airport hangar with Air Force Two in the background − the type of campaign setting Trump has made a staple during his three runs for president.
More: 'I will not be silent': VP Kamala Harris defends Israel but laments 'suffering' in Gaza
It was the most well-attended rally yet for the still-young Harris campaign as she conducts a multi-state blitz with her new running-mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, this week.
Throughout the year, protesters have regularly followed President Joe Biden at his public events but the demonstrations have been less of a reoccurrence for Harris, who launched her campaign after Biden dropped out of the race July 21.
Dearborn, Michigan outside of Detroit is home to a large Arab American and Muslim population that has criticized the Biden administration's support for Israel's war against Hamas following the militant group's Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
In Michigan's Democratic primary in February, a majority of primary voters in Dearborn, 57%, chose "uncommitted" over Biden in a protest over his position on Israel's war in Gaza.
Michigan, with 15 electoral votes up for grabs, is a critical battleground state that Biden carried in 2020 en route to his election victory over Trump.
Although Harris, like Biden, has remained steadfast in her backing of Israel, she helped take the lead in the administration's criticism of Israel for the number of Palestinian casualties in Gaza. "Too many innocent Palestinians have been killed," Harris said last December. “Frankly, the scale of civilian suffering and the images and videos coming from Gaza are devastating."
Harris last month told reporters, "We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering, and I will not be silent."
Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison.
AgressivePeppering on August 8th, 2024 at 03:22 UTC »
I was there. For what it’s worth, it was six people.
Impressive-Shake-761 on August 8th, 2024 at 02:37 UTC »
“Before her rally in Detroit, Vice President Kamala Harris spoke briefly with the co-founders of the Uncommitted National Movement, which mobilized tens of thousands of voters in Michigan to withhold their votes from President Biden in the primary earlier this year over his support for Israel’s war in Gaza. Abbas Alawieh and Layla Elabed said they were in the welcoming line for Harris and Governor Walz, and communicated to Harris that they wanted to support her but that voters wanted her to consider an arms embargo to immediately stop the carnage in the besieged enclave.”
“Harris listened to stories of people in Michigan who have had dozens of family members killed in Gaza. The leaders asked to meet with her about the embargo request, and she indicated she was open to it, and introduced the two leaders to her staff.”
From the NYT
Mike4992 on August 8th, 2024 at 02:27 UTC »