Vice President Kamala Harris addresses the American Federation of Teachers in Houston on Thursday. Photo: Screenshot Fox News Houston
Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at length about the negative impact book bans and other anti-LGBTQ+ policies and laws are having on America’s teachers and kids during her campaign speech at the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) convention in Houston, Texas today, signaling that she will be focusing on these issues during her presidential campaign.
“We are fighting for our most basic freedoms,” Harris declared to thousands of teachers at the AFT’s annual conference, “and I say to the leaders in this room: Come on in.”
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“Go ahead! Go ahead!” shouts echoed throughout the hall.
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Harris made far-right attacks on individual liberties, including the right to choose and marriage equality, a central focus of her time as vice president, leading President Joe Biden’s administration in pushing for federal legislation to restore Roe v. Wade protections nationwide and working with lawmakers to pass the Respect Marriage Act through Congress, which President Biden signed into law in 2022.
Shortly after the Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade, Harris said Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurring opinion was a harbinger of other overturns to come. Justice Thomas said the nation’s highest court should consider overturning same-sex marriage laws and other laws that guarantee the right to consensual same-sex sex and access to contraception.
“I think he just said the quiet parts out loud,” Harris said.
In her speech, Harris drew a stark contrast between the Democrats and the MAGA-backed Republican candidates voters will choose in November.
“At this very moment, across our country, we are witnessing an all-out assault on our hard-won, hard-fought freedoms,” she told teachers union members Thursday.
“At the same time that we teach students about democracy and representative government, extremists are attacking the sacred freedom to vote,” Harris said.
“While you’re trying to create welcoming places for your children to learn, extremists are attacking our freedom to live safe from gun violence. They refuse to pass common sense gun safety laws, yet have the nerve to order teachers to carry guns in the classroom!”
“And while you are teaching students about our country’s past, these extremists are attacking the freedom to learn and recognise our country’s true history and are banning books. Banning books in 2024!” she added.
“Say it, President Harris,” a supporter yelled from the back of the venue, and the Democratic front-runner broke into a beaming smile.
“Think about it: we want to ban assault weapons, and they want to ban books. Can you imagine that?” Harris asked insensitively.
“Meanwhile, these extremists are also attacking our freedom to love who we love openly and proudly. They’ve passed so-called ‘don’t say gay’ laws,” Harris said of Republicans in Florida and other states passing bills that mimic Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature legislation that limits the teaching of classes about LGBTQ+ identities.
Harris boasted that her record would rival that of former President Trump “any day now,” and has since fully embraced her role as a marriage equality champion early on.
“As many of you know, on Valentine’s Day weekend in 2004, I was one of the first elected officials in the country to officiate a same-sex marriage ceremony,” Harris told the teachers, drawing applause.
“It really breaks my heart to think that 20 years on there are still young teachers in their 20s who are afraid to post pictures of themselves and their partners for fear they might lose their jobs,” she said.
“So what is their job? The noblest job, teaching other people’s children. And God knows we don’t pay them enough as it is,” she said.
“We are fighting,” Harris continued, “because we believe all Americans should be free from bigotry and hatred, we are fighting to protect teachers and students from discrimination, and we are fighting to ensure that all students learn American history.”
“And we believe in reproductive freedom, giving women back the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies without the government telling them what to do!” she continued.
Chants of “Go ahead and try it! Go ahead and try it!” rang out in the hall.
“You’re right,” Harris added. “Go for it.”
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