Vice President Harris was disrupted at a rally by protesters against the Gaza war on Wednesday for the first time since she launched her presidential campaign.
“Kamala, Kamala, you can’t hide, we will not vote for genocide,” protesters at a rally in Detroit chanted as Vice President Harris addressed an airplane hangar packed with supporters. The crowd booed, drowning out the protesters with chants of “Kamala.”
“I’m here because I believe in democracy. Everybody’s voice matters, but I’m speaking now. I’m speaking now,” Harris said to applause.
As protesters continued their disruption, Harris issued a further stern warning.
“Look, if you want Donald Trump to win, say so. If not, I’ll speak up,” she said.
Michigan, particularly the Detroit suburbs, has a large Arab American population, and some Democrats worry the Biden administration’s handling of the Gaza war could cost them votes in November’s election.
For months, demonstrators protesting the Gaza war have accompanied Biden to his election rallies, carrying signs and chanting “You’re responsible for the blood,” “Joe Genocide” and “Ceasefire now” during his speeches.
The war in Gaza has divided some Democrats, dating back to October when Hamas killed about 1,200 Israelis and took hundreds hostage. Israel responded by launching a military operation in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.
Harris has aligned herself with Biden in staunch support for Israel, stressing that how Israel wages its war against Hamas is crucial and that more needs to be done to protect civilians in Gaza.
“I’ve said it many times, but it’s worth repeating: Israel has the right to defend itself, but how it defends itself matters,” Harris said after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month.
“What has happened in Gaza over the past nine months is horrific,” Harris added. “Images of dead children and desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety – sometimes forced to flee a second, third or fourth time. We cannot turn a blind eye to these tragedies. We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering, and I will not be silent.”
