Kamala Harris faces backlash for accusing pro-Palestine hecklers of helping Trump
Social media users slammed US Vice President Kamala Harris' response to protesters at her rally after she equated protesting against the war in Gaza with support for Donald Trump.
About halfway through the presidential candidate's Wednesday speech at a rally in Detroit, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters started chanting: “Kamala, Kamala, you can’t hide, we won’t vote for genocide”.
Harris first tried to recognise the protesters and said: “I’m here because we believe in democracy, everyone’s voice matters. But I’m speaking now.”
As the protesters continued, Harris’ tone changed suddenly, and she said, “You know what, if you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking,” which triggered the crowd to chant “Kamala” to drown out the protesters.
The protests at her speech in Detroit show that Israel’s war on Gaza and the US's continuing support for it remains a hot-button issue among many in the US, especially among voters in Michigan, which is home to a significant Arab and Muslim population.
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One user on X said that "even genocide" was not a red line "as long as Trump doesn’t win”.
We have our answer, ladies and gentlemen.
— Duopoly Destroyer (@realnikohouse) August 8, 2024
Even GENOCIDE should be ignored, “as long as Trump doesn’t win”.
If this isn’t a red line for you, you’re not a leftist. Tbh, you’re barely fucking human. This is INDEFENSIBLE. https://t.co/IoDxoDVU1Q
Another user said that the “Kamala is better on Palestine” discourse did not last.
The whole “Kamala is better on Palestine” facade didn’t make it a week.
— Danny Haiphong (@SpiritofHo) August 8, 2024
Genocide Kamala shows her real face. https://t.co/fFNbXZN3z1
Many people also criticised Harris’ reactions and her facial expressions while firing back at the pro-Palestinian protesters. One user said she is responding with “smugness” towards people protesting against genocide.
She’s responding with smugness towards people protesting a genocide that she is currently enabling and yall are stanning her for it. Every day I’m shocked by how vile and pathetic you all are. Absolutely disgusting and disgraceful. You’re all SICK. https://t.co/KrEXHypSwS
— Marie (@marie_chellie) August 8, 2024
Another user suggested that "the head tilt" and the "eyebrow raise" show a certain disdain for the protesters.
Oh My Goodness. The head tilt and eyebrow raise. pic.twitter.com/0ppXRpupkM
— Kelsie Taggart (@kelsientaggart) August 8, 2024
Social media users also brought up the point that Kamala Harris’ reaction to the protesters seemed like it was “prepped & rehearsed ahead of time”.
As someone who has analyzed hundreds of campaign speeches, to me, this response looks like it was prepped & rehearsed ahead of time. Ie this wasn’t her “getting frustrated spontaneously”—rather this was a conscious, tactical decision to respond to protestors that interrupted her… https://t.co/yQR91xIz3k
— Taleed El-Sabawi, JD, PhD (@el_sabawi) August 8, 2024
“This response sends a message of support and tips the hat to AIPAC— communicating that she will have a no tolerance attitude for those pesky college protestors. It also belittles and shrugs them aside as if they are nothing more than unruly children who need a stern talking to,” the tweet continued.
British journalist Owen Jones pointed out the irony in applauding Kamala Harris' treatment of the pro-Palestinian protesters when just a week ago, footage emerged of Israeli soldiers raping a Palestinian prisoner, and Israel has continuously bombed civilians, including children.
This week, footage emerged of Israeli soldiers raping a Palestinian detainee.
— Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) August 8, 2024
Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been burned alive and suffocated under rubble, many kids.
If you applauded this, you are beneath pondlife.
You are a disgusting person. You need to know this. https://t.co/MS43Vcmopq
Michigan is home to a large number of Arab and Muslim communities who could be influential in swaying the state in the direction of the Republicans or Democrats.
Over the past ten months, Arab, Muslim and progressive organisers have been working around the clock, running a campaign to ensure US President Joe Biden is aware his administration's steadfast support for Israel's military assault could lose the Democrats the election in November.
Now, the attention is on Kamala Harris, and if this reaction to pro-Palestinian protesters is any indicator, critics say she will continue the Biden administration's steadfast support for Israel's war on Gaza.
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