Simone Lawson
At a campaign event in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on October 17, 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris responded to anti-abortion protesters by saying they were “at the wrong rally”. Harris's comment, which has since gone viral, was in reference to a nearby Trump rally. The protesters, who were shouting phrases like abortion is a sacrament to Satan and Christ is king, claimed they were “getting shouted out, pushed, assaulted, [and] screamed at”. Harris's comment came during a discussion on Trump's stance on abortion, and the Vice President has attracted bigger crowds than Trump on several occasions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | October 17, 2024 |
| Location | La Crosse, Wisconsin |
| Protesters | Anti-abortion |
| Kamala Harris's response to protesters | "You're at the wrong rally", "I think you meant to go to the smaller one down the street" |
| Kamala Harris's political opponent | Former President Donald Trump |
| Rally size | Bigger crowd than Trump on several occasions |
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What You'll Learn
Kamala Harris tells anti-abortion protesters they are at the wrong rally
During a campaign event on October 17, 2024, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, US Vice President Kamala Harris briefly paused her speech as anti-abortion protesters shouted phrases like "abortion is a sacrament to Satan" and "Christ is king." In a now-viral moment, Harris quipped that the hecklers were "at the wrong rally," referring to a nearby Trump rally.
The official White House transcript of the event noted that an audience member shouted, "Lies. Lies. That's a lie." However, it was difficult to discern the exact phrases shouted by the protesters from the official recording of the rally.
In response to the interruption, Harris stated:
> Oh, you guys are at the wrong rally. No, I think you meant to go to the smaller one down the street.
The crowd cheered and applauded as the protesters were escorted out. The incident sparked varying responses, with some claiming Harris mocked the anti-abortion demonstrators, while others suggested she responded to a different interrupter.
The exchange highlighted the contentious nature of abortion rights in US politics, with Harris advocating for a woman's right to make decisions about her body and criticizing former President Donald Trump's role in overturning Roe v. Wade. The incident also drew attention to the role of religion in political discourse, with some accusing Harris of adopting an anti-Christian stance.
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Hecklers at the La Crosse event were possibly at the smaller one down the street
During a campaign event on 17 October in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Vice President Kamala Harris was interrupted by protesters shouting towards the stage. Harris paused her speech and, in a now-viral moment, quipped that the hecklers were "at the wrong rally", possibly referring to a nearby Trump rally. The two protesters were then seen walking through the crowd towards the exit. According to one of the protesters, they were “getting shouted out, pushed, assaulted, screamed at” and were eventually kicked out by three attendee volunteers.
The La Crosse event was not the first time Harris had to deal with interruptions from protesters. At a previous rally in Wisconsin, anti-abortion protesters shouted religious phrases about abortion and Jesus, to which Harris replied, "you're at the wrong rally". This response sparked controversy, with some claiming that Harris was being anti-Christian.
While the exact number of protesters at the La Crosse event is unclear, it is possible that there were more than two, as suggested by the use of the term "hecklers" by some media outlets. It is also worth noting that the La Crosse event was well-attended, with Harris attracting a bigger crowd than her political opponent, former President Donald Trump, on several occasions.
Given the proximity of the Trump rally and the comments made by Harris, it is likely that the hecklers at the La Crosse event were originally intending to attend the smaller rally down the street. This assumption is further supported by the fact that the hecklers were asked to leave by other attendees and volunteers at the Harris event, suggesting they were not aligned with the values and beliefs of the majority of people present.
While the exact nature of the comments made by the hecklers at the La Crosse event is unclear, it is possible that they were similar to those made at the previous Wisconsin rally, where anti-abortion sentiments were expressed. This assumption is based on the fact that both events were part of Harris' campaign and that abortion is a divisive topic that often sparks protests and counter-protests at political rallies.
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Harris's comments on abortion and Trump's stance on it
During a campaign event in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on October 17, 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris's speech was interrupted by anti-abortion protestors shouting phrases like "abortion is a sacrament to Satan" and "Christ is king". In response, Harris quipped that the hecklers were "at the wrong rally", referring to a nearby Trump rally. Harris's comment was a widely talked-about moment, as it followed her criticism of former President Donald Trump's stance on abortion.
Harris's comments at the rally in Wisconsin reflect her support for abortion rights, which stands in contrast to Trump's anti-abortion position. While Harris's exact words during her criticism of Trump's stance on abortion are not known, her reference to the "wrong rally" suggests that she was distinguishing her own political views and values from those of Trump and his supporters.
Trump, on the other hand, has a history of opposing abortion rights and has taken steps to restrict access to abortion during his presidency. During his time in office, Trump appointed conservative judges who were expected to rule against abortion rights, and he also supported legislation that restricted federal funding for organizations that provide abortion services.
Harris's comments on abortion and her stance on women's reproductive rights are important aspects of her political platform. As a woman of colour, Harris has emphasized the need to protect and expand access to reproductive healthcare for all individuals, regardless of their background or economic status. She has also advocated for comprehensive sex education and the availability of affordable contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies.
In contrast, Trump's stance on abortion has been a central part of his conservative agenda and has been influenced by his personal beliefs and the support he receives from religious groups that oppose abortion. Trump has framed his anti-abortion position as a matter of protecting the sanctity of life and has used it to gain political support from social conservatives. However, his stance has also been criticized for disregarding the health and rights of women, as well as for contributing to a rise in unsafe abortion procedures.
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Beyoncé's performance at the Texas rally
"I'm not here as a celebrity, I'm not here as a politician. I'm here as a mother," Beyoncé stated, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming election for the future of her children and all children. She continued, "Imagine our daughters growing up seeing what's possible with no ceilings, no limitations. We must vote, and we need you."
Beyoncé, joined by her Destiny's Child bandmate Kelly Rowland, introduced Harris with enthusiasm and confidence: "Ladies and gentlemen, please give a big, loud, Texas welcome to the next president of the United States, Vice President Kamala Harris."
The singer's speech, combined with her star power, added a significant boost to the rally, with her song "Freedom" also heavily used by the Harris campaign. Beyoncé's mother, Tina Knowles, also spoke at the event, sharing the significance of Houston as the place where her daughters "found their voices."
The Texas rally, held at the Shell Energy Stadium, was a significant moment for Harris' campaign, attracting a massive crowd and generating widespread attention. It served as a call to action for voters, with Beyoncé's performance leaving a lasting impact on those in attendance and beyond.
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Harris's interview with Joe Rogan
Kamala Harris's campaign team was in negotiations with Joe Rogan for an interview on his podcast, "The Joe Rogan Experience", ahead of the 2024 election. The podcast is an important stop for political candidates, particularly as they seek to reach voters, including young men, who have rejected traditional media. Harris's team asked to shorten the episode from three hours to one and requested that Rogan travel to Harris to record the episode. They also asked to avoid talking about legalizing marijuana. Rogan rejected these terms but left the door open for an interview, saying, "she might still do it".
Rogan's show has previously hosted President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance. An appearance on the show was seen as an opportunity for Harris, as Democrats had been polling poorly with young men compared to previous election cycles. However, it was unclear if the Harris campaign still needed Rogan after a comedian's insults about Puerto Rico at a Trump rally threatened his support in the crucial 222 Latino corridor in Pennsylvania.
Harris's team responded to the scheduling conflict, saying, "because of the scheduling of this period in the election". Despite the negotiations, the interview did not materialize, and Rogan claimed that the Harris campaign "badly mishandled" the situation. He argued that his show reaches millions of low-propensity male voters, the exact demographic that political candidates like Harris should target.
While the potential interview with Joe Rogan did not occur, Harris did join the popular "Call Her Daddy" podcast, where she discussed issues such as abortion. She also had five television interviews planned to reach battleground voters in Detroit, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh, as well as an appearance on a Spanish-language Pennsylvania radio station to connect with Puerto Ricans and other Latinos.
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Frequently asked questions
At a rally in Wisconsin, Kamala responded to anti-abortion protesters who shouted phrases like "abortion is a sacrament to Satan" and "Christ is king" by saying, "you're at the wrong rally".
At a rally in Texas, Kamala attempted to schedule an interview with Joe Rogan. However, Rogan ended up interviewing Trump instead. Beyoncé also performed at the rally.
At a rally in La Crosse, Kamala told hecklers that they were at the "wrong rally", referring to a nearby Trump rally.
