US Election: Kamala Harris’ Phoenix, Arizona, rally derailed by successive hecklers

PHOENIX, ARIZONA: At one of her final rallies in a crucial must-win swing state, Vice President Kamala Harris’ bid to make her case ahead of the US election has been effectively scuppered by consecutive hecklers and a large group of pro-Gaza protesters.

With the poll currently on a knife edge between the Democratic presidential candidate and her Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, Arizona is one of the seven swing states emerging as the key path to winning the White House.

So her “When We Vote We Win” rally in front of a crowd of 5000 at the Talking Stick Amphitheatre in Phoenix was largely seen a crucial pitch just days out from the November 5 poll, which Harris described as the “most consequential election of our lifetime”.

“It’s good to be back in Phoenix,” Harris said after she walked on stage.

She started by thanking government officials and tribal leaders from the area, a comment that drew huge support from the crowd.

“We have an opportunity to turn the page on Donald Trump trying to divide us,” she declared.

With that mention of the former president, a protester stood up and started screaming inaudible abuse at the Democrat candidate. Security quickly pounced as Ms Harris’ eyes briefly took stock of the commotion unfolding in front of her.

Appearing to remain composed, Ms Harris kept going.

“Many of you know me, I’m not afraid of tough fights,” Ms Harris said as she began to tell her story of being a prosecutor.

Four minutes into her pitch another heckler stood and started continually screaming “Donald Trump,” with more security racing to where the man was sitting.

He was removed, continuing to scream until he was taken out of the amphitheatre.

Ms Harris had only just resumed when her pitch was halted by a third interruption, this time a small group of hecklers.

She attempted to push on, explaining she was fighting for democracy until she was forced to pause while the disruptive group was escorted out of the rally to the cheers of the crowd.

“That’s all right,” Ms Harris said, attempting to regain control of the event.

“Democracy can be complicated.”

“So much of my plan is about the dignity all people deserve.” Ms Harris continued.

“I believe access to healthcare should be a right, not a privilege.”

They were words that inspired the largest group of protesters yet to interrupt Ms Harris, who began chanting about Gaza, in almost a repeat of the interruption at her previous campaign stop in Ann Arbor, Michigan, home to one of the largest Arab American communities in the US.

“Okay, guys. Let’s talk about Gaza for a moment,” Ms Harris said, again having to acknowledge unrest within the crowd.

“We want this war to end and to get the hostages and I will work on it full-time when elected president,” she said as the crowd cheered, and the group of protesters were removed.

From here the rally largely returned to script with Ms Harris, resuming her usual rhetoric, referring to Mr Trump as “unhinged”, obsessed with “unchecked power” and warning that he would walk into the Oval Office with an enemies list.

Her repetition of the familiar campaign lines now appeared to inspire the crowd, who would quickly break into cheers, boos or chants at any given moment.

One woman yelled her support towards Ms Harris in Spanish while the vice president spoke on bringing down the cost of living.

“Si señora, si,” Ms Harris replied without missing a beat.

The Vice President spoke in Spanish a handful of times throughout her roughly 20-minute speech to the delight of the diverse crowd, a none-too subtle nod to the hefty Hispanic and Latino American communities that make up Arizona’s 7.5 million-strong population.

Ms Harris then went into her final sell, desperately trying to win over voters in a state, that along with Georgia, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Michigan, is seen as crucial to winning the election.

“As president, I pledged to find common ground.

“I am looking to make progress.

“I pledge to you to listen to people who disagree with me. Unlike Donald Trump, I don’t believe that people who disagree with me are the enemy.

“He wants to put them in jail, I will give them a seat at the table.

“Because that’s how democracy works.”

Ms Harris quickly raced back to the airport to travel to the next vital swing state - Nevada - for two rallies.

While speaking in Reno, Ms Harris was once again interrupted by protesters criticising her handling of the Israel-Gaza war.

Later, Ms Harris will appear alongside Jennifer Lopez at an event in Las Vegas.

How voters feel about the US election

Grandmother LeGail, mother Corey and daughter Sydney attended the Harris Rally on Thursday as three generations of a family trying to halt what they described as the “terrifying” outcome of Mr Trump winning.

“I have always voted for the person, not the party because it should always be about what they stand for,” LeGail explained.

“I’ve never seen anything like Donald Trump. It’s unbelievable and terrifying.”

Sydney, 17, is just three months shy of being able to vote in the 2024 election. She instead decided to devote her time to being a campaign volunteer.

“Here right now, you fear for your life over the result of the election,” Sydney said.

“I fear for my life, my reproductive rights and respect for women.

“There’s not enough respect for women and I hope Kamala Harris can change that rhetoric.”

Asked what they would do if Mr Trump became President, the trio of went silent and simply looked at each other.

“It’s terrible that that makes me speechless, this is just so serious,” Corey said.

“If we elect Donald Trump, the world will see America as a joke.”

‘People are rooting for Kamala... Not just because she is a Black female’

Despite the disruptions, Phoenix rallygoer Shonda Strickland, was glowing in her praise of the Democrat candidate.

“This is my first rally. I didn’t have expectations. Seeing that, I think she will win. So many people are rooting for Kamala.”

“Not just because she is a Black female but because she really stands on the side of people. She cares for people.

“I don’t see her being repetitive, no more than trying to get her point across”

Originally from Texas, Ms Stickland, also harboured extreme fears of another Trump administration.

“Should Donald Trump win, we have already seen what he’s done and how he set America up for failure,” she said.

“I’m afraid of confusion. We were going forward, especially from racist issues, sexist issues, and even global warming.

“And of course a woman’s right to do what she wants to do with her body.

“If Donald Trump wins, I will probably move to Belize.

“I can’t wait until it’s over.”

Thomas, a local Uber driver, also said he immediately felt Ms Harris’ presence in the city - but not exactly in a positive way.

“I got stuck trying to drop off a passenger earlier just so her motorcade could get through,” Thomas complained.

“I can’t wait until it’s (the election) over. It’s all anyone is talking about, and if you don’t share their view, they stop talking to you all together.”

He explained that on social media, people say what they want regardless of facts, but that it remained a source for many Republicans who believe in the existence of completely biased “fake news”.

Thomas said he would still vote for former President Donald Trump in the 2024 election.

“It’s complex,” he said.

“I’m a Republican and pro-abortion.”

“Too many people say that a woman can’t access abortions, even after something like rape. They say it’s unholy. Okay sure, you look after the child then and let the woman live her life.”

However, he thinks the economy will be the bigger factor influencing voters.

“Since COVID, the economy has been broken. My rent went up $US600 ($900). When I go to the store to buy things, I spend $US100 ($150). It’s out of control.”