During a campaign speech in Michigan on Wednesday, VP Kamala Harris encountered anti-Israel protesters about midway through her address, who interrupted her to voice their opposition to Israel’s conflict with Hamas.
Harris tried to acknowledge the protesters while keeping her composure. “I am here because I believe in democracy and everybody’s voice matters, but I am speaking now,” she asserted, attempting to restore order.
As the protesters continued to disrupt, Harris’s tone became more forceful. “You know what, if you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking,” she stated.
Her supporters then raised their voices and chanted, “We’re not going back.”
The protesters, who were demonstrating against U.S. support for Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, were eventually escorted out. This led to a heated exchange between Harris’s supporters and the protesters, with both sides shouting before the situation calmed down.
Harris and Walz rally support in Michigan
Harris’s visit to Michigan, alongside her new running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, aimed to garner support among younger, diverse, and labor-friendly voters in key battleground states like Wisconsin and Michigan. The Biden administration’s stance on Israel has been a contentious issue, especially among certain voter demographics.
Earlier in the day, at a rally in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Harris highlighted the campaign’s optimistic outlook despite the controversies. “As Tim Walz likes to point out, we are joyful warriors,” she said.
Contrasting her vision with that of former President Donald Trump, Harris criticized Trump for being stuck in the past and promoting a divisive style of politics. “Someone who suggests we should terminate the Constitution of the United States should never again have the chance to sit behind the seal of the United States,” Harris asserted passionately.
