Kamala Harris met by Bay Area protesters over support for Israel
OAKLAND, Calif. - Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in the Bay Area on Wednesday for campaign fundraisers and was met by protesters during her visit.
Harris's first stop was Oakland for a private fundraising event at a home in the Rockridge neighborhood. At around 11:30 a.m., dozens of protesters descended upon Manchester and Ocean View drives demanding that the U.S. government cut ties with Israel amid the country's war with Hamas.
Wednesday's protest was led by the Arab Resource & Organizing Center (AROC), which held a similar rally across the Bay in San Francisco where Harris later attended a campaign reception hosted by Manny's.
At the protest in Oakland, police lined the streets while demonstrators chanted and held signs condemning Vice President Harris for not using her political power to help end U.S. support for Israel.
Outside The Chapel in San Francisco, the scene on Valencia Street heated up as protesters faced off with police officers. Video from the ground showed officers getting their zip ties ready.
Around 12:30 p.m., officers started to push the crowd back and detained one woman in the process. It is unclear if she was arrested.
Harris arrived at the reception around 2 p.m., reportedly telling attendees she supported the protesters' right to assemble.
Cameras were not allowed inside the event, but before it started, attendees waiting to get inside said the November election is too critical to sit on the sidelines.
"I think we're going to lose our democracy if we don't vote for Biden and Harris, and it's a clear choice, you've got a criminal on one side," said attendee Jane Kershner. "I don't even care about the policies. Either we have a democracy or we don't. I actually support the policies of Biden and Harris."
Added Dale Seymour, "With abortion and the trials and all that. It's important for people to be here, even the protesters, to express their views."
After the event, Harris left for San Francisco International Airport to head back to Washington, D.C.
Protesters said just as they took to the streets during Harris's visit, they expect to make their voices heard when former President Donald Trump arrives in San Francisco on Thursday.
"Trump will definitely be met with opposition in the Bay Area as he always has," said Kiswani. "We are the front lines of the anti-fascist movement. We are the same people who shut down the San Francisco airport during the muslim ban."