By Asia Matthews with SGJC Student News Network
Vice President Kamala Harris’s acceptance speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention was met with a mixture of enthusiasm and intense opposition.
Harris, who is running for President, emphasized her commitment to the middle class, reproductive rights, and border security, while critiquing former President Donald Trump’s record.
However, outside the convention, pro-Palestine protesters highlighted their disagreements with Harris’s policies and statements, particularly regarding her statements on U.S foreign policy in Israel.
In her speech, Harris reflected on her mother’s journey from India and her own experiences as a prosecutor and Attorney General of California.
“Family loved us, believed in us and told us we could be anything and do anything,” Harris said, drawing a personal connection to her values of community, faith, and respect.
She promised to fight for economic growth, job creation, and access to capital for small businesses, emphasizing her plan to lower the cost of essential needs and address housing shortages.
Harris also committed to passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and restoring reproductive freedom, which she criticized Trump for undermining.
“Donald Trump handpicked members of the United States Supreme Court to take away reproductive freedom,” Harris said, reaffirming her stance on ensuring Americans have control over personal decisions, specifically referring to reproductive rights for women.
On border security, Harris pledged to revive bipartisan legislation that Trump had opposed, vowing to reform the immigration system in a manner that honors the U.S.’s heritage as a nation of immigrants.
However, Harris’s speech sparked backlash, particularly from protesters who voiced their discontent outside the convention.
Nicole, a protester from New Jersey, criticized Harris for what she described as hypocrisy and betrayal.
“She talks about peace; she talks about democracy. What happened? We have police presence at an all-time high, no one wants to listen to the uncommitted delegates, no one is getting their voice out,” Nicole said.
Nicole’s protest focused on Harris’s foreign policy, particularly her support for the U.S. administering aid to Israel, claiming that Harris supports the Palestinian genocide.
“Why are we voting for Kamala when she was the Vice President sending bombs to Israel?” Nicole questioned, accusing Harris and the U.S. government of endorsing actions she views as genocidal.
Nicole further claimed that both major parties, through their support for Israel, have failed to address domestic issues such as poverty and homelessness in the effectively.
“This is not a Republican or Democratic issue anymore,” Nicole argued. “It’s bipartisan. They are both sending money. We are spending tax dollars that should be here when poverty is at an all-time high in the United States.”
The protestors’ concerns reflect broader criticism of U.S. foreign policy and its implications for human rights. Nicole and others argue that the financial and military support provided to Israel, particularly during conflicts with Hamas, contributes to a humanitarian crisis.
“We will boycott, and the Israeli economy will continue to go down until this ends,” she added.
In response to such criticisms, Harris defended her administration's stance on supporting Israel.
“With respect to the war in Gaza, President Biden and I are working around the clock because now is the time to get a hostage deal and a cease-fire deal done,” Harris said. She reaffirmed her position on Israel’s right to defend itself, citing the October 7th attacks by Hamas as a key reason for her support.
“I will always stand up for Israel’s rights to defend itself,” Harris said.
