Vice President Kamala Harris’ Jan. 29 reproductive rights event with actress Sophia Bush in San Jose, CA, was disrupted by protesters demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East.
Protesters waved Palestinian flags and chanted, “We want a ceasefire now!”, during Harris’ appearance at the Mexican Heritage Plaza and faced repeated interruptions while she was speaking, according to Daily Mail.
“We all want this conflict to end as soon as
possible,” Harris said, trying to talk over the protesters. The news outlet noted supporters in the crowd chanted “Four more years!” to drown out the disruptions. Security eventually removed the protesters.“There are a lot of big issues impacting our world right now,”
Harris acknowledged. “The topic for today is what has happened in our country after the Dobbs decision, which took away the right to make personal healthcare decisions. We should not be distracted from this important issue.”But protest organizers tied reproductive freedom to the plight of women in Gaza. Daily Mail reported Zahra Billoo, executive director of the Center for American-Islamic Relations’ (CAIR) San Francisco Bay Area chapter, said to a local news station that “the call for ceasefire is a call for reproductive freedom.” CAIR was a key group behind the rally.
The protesters tried to appeal to Harris on behalf of mothers in Gaza lacking basic healthcare and hygiene products while facing starvation; Israel has a blockade on aid entering the area. According to Gaza’s health ministry over 26,000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, Daily Mail reported.
The Biden administration has supported Israel. The Hamas invasion on October 7, 2023 resulted in the death of around 1,200 Israelis. U.S. troops are now being targeted by Iran-backed terrorists. Protesters have also interrupted events with Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, and second gentleman Doug Emhoff.
Harris was in San Jose as part of her “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” nationwide tour.
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