Israel-Hamas war
‘I am speaking now’: Harris rally in Michigan interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters
The interruptions suggested the war in Gaza remains a salient issue among voters in Michigan.
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‘I’m speaking!’ Harris tells protesters at her campaign rally
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Aug. 7, 2024, 11:46 PM EDT
By Nnamdi Egwuonwu, Jillian Frankel and Gabe Gutierrez
DETROIT — A handful of pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris during her rally remarks at an airport hangar Wednesday night — prompting her to reprise a familiar line.
About halfway through the vice president’s remarks, roughly half a dozen protesters began to chant, “Kamala, Kamala you can’t hide! We won’t vote for genocide.”
Harris first acknowledged the protesters by borrowing a strategy President Joe Biden used earlier this cycle when pro-Palestinian demonstrators routinely interrupted his events, affirming the protesters’ right to voice their opinions while trying to redirect attention to the remarks.
“I’m here because we believe in democracy. Everyone’s voice matters,” she said. “But I am speaking now. I am speaking now.”
Harris famously told then-Vice President Mike Pence “I’m speaking” in cross-talk at a vice presidential debate during the 2020 election cycle.
As the protests continued, Harris’ tone grew more forceful.
“You know what? If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking,” Harris said, aided by a crowd of several thousand attendees who chanted “Kamala” in an effort to drown out protesters.
