'I'M SPEAKING'
Moment Kamala Harris claps back at anti-Israel protesters interrupting rally in throwback to viral 2020 VP debate
This marks the first pro-Gaza protest of Harris' presidential campaign
KAMALA Harris snapped at a group of protesters who tried to hijack the biggest rally of her presidential campaign so far.
The incumbent vice president and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz appeared in Detroit, Michigan on Wednesday night in front of more than 15,000 people.
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The duo are embarking on a week-long tour, hitting several major cities in seven swing states ahead of the Democratic National Convention.
Walz introduced Harris to the audience, who cheered for the vice president in a minute-long ovation.
However, Harris seemed to struggle to regain control of the rally for a moment when a group of pro-Palestine protesters began yelling at her as she spoke.
"Kamala Kamala, you can't hide, we don't want no genocide," the protesters chanted as Harris appeared to downplay the interruption.
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The group was protesting the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, both of which have been accused of war crimes by the International Criminal Court.
These protests have happened at several events, including at many of Joe Biden's rallies before he dropped out of the race.
Supporters yelled Harris' name to drown out the protesters, however, Harris snapped at the group as they became unruly.
"If you want Donald Trump to win then say that," said Harris. "Otherwise, I'm speaking."
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As the chants continued, Harris doubled down.
"I'm here because we believe in democracy. Everyone's voice matters but I am speaking now."
MN Governor Walz accepts VP Harris's running mate offer over speakerphone
The moment drew parallels to Harris' 2020 debate with then-Vice President Mike Pence, who interrupted her about 10 times.
However, Harris didn't back down, challenging Pence several times.
"Mr. Vice President, I'm speaking. I'm speaking."
Meanwhile, Pence continued to talk until Harris said: "If you don't mind letting me finish, then we can have a conversation."
She said the line again after Pence claimed that Joe Biden would raise taxes "on day one" of his presidency.
"I thought we saw enough of it in last week's debate, but this is supposed to be a debate based on fact and truth," Harris said at the time.
"The truth of the matter is Joe Biden has been clear. He will not raise taxes on anyone who makes less than $400,000."
Pence interrupted, saying that Biden would "repeal the Trump tax cuts," however, Harris stopped him.
"Mr. Vice President, I'm speaking," she said, laughing and shaking her head as he continued to speak over her.
Who is Governor Tim Walz?
Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate after weeks of chaos for the Democratic Party. Here's what to know about her pick.
Democratic politician Walz became the 41st governor of Minnesota in 2019.
The 60-year-old is a retired teacher and former non-commissioned officer in the Army National Guard.
Walz graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2001 and Chadron State College in 1989.
He has been married to his wife and fellow teacher Gwen Walz since 1994.
The pair share two children named Hope and Gus, who were conceived through IVF and fertility treatments, per the Star Tribune.
Hope graduated from a Montana college, while Gus attends public high school in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Walz was born in West Point, Nebraska, in 1964, and grew up in Valentine.
He is known for being punctual and graduated from Butte High School in Butte, Nebraska, in 1982.
In 1989, he taught English in China and learned to speak Mandarin.
Walz quit drinking alcohol after he got a DWI in Nebraska in 1995.
Troopers pulled him over for going 96 mph in a 55 mph zone, and a breathalyzer test found his blood alcohol concentration was .128, according to court records.
After he was arrested, he struck a plea deal to reduce the charges, which was a topic of conversation when he first ran for Congress in 2006.
When state troopers drive Walz in the state SUV as part of his governorship, he sits in the front passenger seat because he gets carsick in the back seats, per the Star Tribune.
When Walz was 19, his father died of lung cancer.
His mother, Darlene Rose, still lives in Nebraska and sometimes visits her son at the Capitol.
"If you don't mind letting me finish, we can both have a conversation," she said.
"Please," said Pence.
The phrase "Mr. Vice President, I'm speaking," went viral on social media as the moment was clipped and turned into gifs that trended on X, then known as Twitter.
That debate went much smoother than the one between Biden and Trump a week prior when Biden snapped at his opponent after one too many interruptions.
"Will you shut up, man," Biden said in a moment that quickly turned into a meme online.
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The war in Israel is a huge issue for Michigan, which has a large Muslim population.
The Biden administration has faced criticism for not doing enough to help civilians in Gaza.
Weeks earlier, Harris met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a "frank and constructive" conversation about the war in Gaza.
Who are the American hostages in Gaza?
Meet the eight Americans who are still being held hostage by Hamas, per the AJC .
- Edan Alexander, 19: The New Jersey native left his home after graduating high school to participate in Garin Tzabar, a program for young Jewish adults who want to explore serving as lone soldiers in Israel’s Defense Forces
- Itay Chen, 19: Chen was born in New York, but was raised in Israel and served in the IDF. His family learned he died on October 7, but his body is still being held captive by Hamas
- Sagui Dekel-Chen, 35: The grandson of Holocaust survivors, Dekel-Chen was working in his machine shop 200 yards from his home when Hamas terrorists entered Kibbutz Nir Oz
- Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23: Polin was last seen at a field shelter with others who tried to escape the Supernova desert festival
- Gadi Haggai, 73: Haggai was shot by terrorists on a motorcycle, but his body is still being held captive by Hamas
- Judith Weinstein Haggai, 70: On the morning of October 7, Judith called the ambulance to help her husband, who was shot by Hamas. The ambulance never arrived, and terrorists came back to kill her. Judith's body is still being held captive by Hamas
- Omer Neutra, 22: The New York native took a gap year before attending Binghamton University to serve in the IDF's tank brigade. Hamas militants ambushed his tank with rocket-propelled grenades on October 7.
- Keith Siegel, 64: The North Carolina man moved to Tel Aviv 40 years ago; on October 7, he and his wife were taken hostage and driven to Gaza with a neighbor and her two children. His wife was released on November 26, but Keith remains, his ribs broken from being captured.
She said of the meeting that she supports Israel's right to defend itself but added, "how it does so matters."
Harris has had concerns over the "devastating" crisis in Gaza, saying, "We cannot look away in the face of these tragedies."
She and President Biden called for a ceasefire to end the war and to boost humanitarian aid to Gaza.
She also called for the release of hostages kidnapped by the militant group Hamas on October 7.
Israel states that 116 remain captive in Gaza with 105 being released in a prisoner exchange deal, four released by Hamas, and seven rescued by the Israel Defense Forces.
"I have met with the families of these American hostages multiple times now and I have told them each time that they are not alone and I stand with them. And President Biden and I are working every day to bring them home," said Harris.
"I also expressed with the Prime Minister my serious concern about the scale of human suffering in Gaza, including the death of far too many innocent civilians. And I made clear my serious concern about the dire humanitarian situation there."
VP PICK
Harris and Walz made their debut as running mates on Tuesday night at a rally in Philadelphia, where Harris introduced her pick to the nation.
"Since the day that I announced my candidacy, I set out to find a partner who can help build this brighter future," she said.
"I found such a leader: Governor Tim Walz of the great state of Minnesota."
Walz wowed the crowd of more than 10,000 with a fiery speech praising Harris while slamming their opponent, Trump.
What's next as Kamala Harris picks running mate
Kamala Harris' presidential campaign is preparing for a whirlwind week after she officially named Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate - just weeks after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race.
Here's what's next for the duo as they hit the campaign trail together:
Both Harris and Walz will appear for their first campaign rally together in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, August 6.
It will be the first of seven swing states Harris is expected to travel to over five days - five of which she and Biden flipped blue in 2020.
These states include:
- Pennsylvania
- Wisconsin
- Michigan
- Georgia
- Arizona
- North Carolina
- Nevada
The stretch is set to be one of the heaviest weeks of campaign-related travel this election cycle.
After her week-long tour around the country, Harris and Walz will hit the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, from August 19 to 22.
It is here that Harris is expected to officially accept the party's nomination and outline exactly where she and her running mate stand on a plethora of issues affecting the American people.
"He doesn't know the first thing about service. He doesn't have time for it because he's too busy serving himself," said Walz.
"So you know what's out there so say it with me: we are not going back.
"We'll sleep when we're dead," he said of the countdown to Election Day.
Harris confirmed her running mate pick in a long Instagram post.
"He made Minnesota the first state in the country to pass a law providing constitutional abortion protections after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and as an avid hunter, he passed a bill requiring universal background checks for gun purchases.
"But what impressed me most about Tim is his deep commitment to his family: Gwen, Gus, and Hope. Doug and I look forward to working with him and Gwen to build an administration that reflects our shared values.
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"Whether you are a supporter, a volunteer, a donor, a member of our staff, or your name is on the ticket: you are part of the people-powered campaign that is going to defeat Donald Trump.
"We are going to build a great partnership. We are going to build a great team. We are going to win this election."
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