Kamala Harris Tells Anti-Israel Protesters at Arizona Rally, “I Respect Your Voices”

Vice President Kamala Harris faced disruption from anti-Israel protesters during her rally at the Desert Diamond Arena in Arizona on Friday.

Still, she managed to turn the situation into a moment of engagement. The interruption occurred about five minutes into her speech, with protesters making their presence known as Harris attempted to continue her address.

“Hold on a second. Hold on, hold on, hold on everybody,” Harris said as her supporters chanted “USA, USA” to drown out the dissent. “We’re here to fight for our democracy, which includes respecting the voices that I think we are hearing from,” she added.

Harris’ rally was attended by 15,000 people, according to her campaign. Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Harris acknowledged the protesters’ concerns about the Israel-Hamas conflict, stating she and President Biden have been working diligently to secure a cease-fire deal. “I respect your voices, but we are here to now talk about this race in 2024,” she concluded before refocusing on her campaign message.

This response differed notably from her handling of similar protests in Michigan the previous day. Harris had been more aggressive in Detroit, dismissing the protesters with a sharp retort: “If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking.”

Harris’ rally may have broken a record for crowd size among Democratic political events in Arizona. Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Despite the protest, the rally was significant for Harris and her newly announced running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The event drew a crowd of about 15,000 supporters, reportedly a record for a Democratic political event in Arizona.

Walz, who faced scrutiny over his selection, used his speech to emphasize his commitment to service and defend his military record. He recounted his time in the Army National Guard and highlighted the educational opportunities provided by the GI Bill.

“I’m proud of that service, but what my nation gave my dad and millions of others and me was an opportunity to use the GI Bill to get a college education,” Walz said, referencing his Korean War veteran father.

His remarks were well received by many in the crowd, with attendees expressing positive reactions to his selection despite some admitting they were unfamiliar with him before the announcement.

Harris also broached the topic of immigration — a top issue for Arizona voters — during her speech. Getty Images

The rally also saw some contentious moments, including chants of “lock him up” directed at former President Donald Trump. Walz attempted to quell the chants before urging the crowd to “beat the hell out of him at the ballot box.”

The event underscored the competitive nature of the 2024 race in Arizona. Trump, who won the state by 3.5 percentage points in 2016 but lost it to Biden by less than a percentage point in 2020, is leading Harris by a narrow margin in recent polls.

As the campaign heats up, immigration remains a crucial issue in Arizona, with Harris emphasizing the need for comprehensive reform that balances border security with an earned pathway to citizenship. She criticized Trump for opposing recent congressional legislation addressing these issues, accusing him of failing to back up his rhetoric with action.

Sola Adeniji

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