Former Vice President Kamala Harris encountered several interruptions from pro-Palestinian demonstrators during her book tour event on Wednesday night, September 24, 2025, in New York City, New York. Harris informed the protesters that, as a private citizen, she had no power to impact the situation in Gaza.
Several demonstrators disrupted Harris at a Times Square venue during the launch of her new book “107 Days,” which chronicles her presidential campaign against Donald Trump following former President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race.
Harris initially addressed the first protester with empathy, expressing sorrow over the Palestinian plight and criticizing Trump for providing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with what she referred to as a blank check. However, as the disruptions continued, Harris stated, “I’m not president right now. There’s nothing I can do.”
The initial protester, wearing a medical mask, made allegations about genocide and Palestinian casualties before security escorted them out. A second protester held Harris accountable for the situation. Amid growing audience frustration, Harris requested calm and noted her past criticism of Gaza’s starvation while serving as vice president, despite facing backlash from the Biden administration.
In her book, Harris criticizes Biden’s response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza as insufficient, stating she urged the president to show the same compassion for Palestinian civilians that he displayed toward Ukrainians. The book highlights internal tensions within the administration regarding the conflict in Gaza.
Harris’ silence on Gaza during her presidential campaign became a concern for many within the Democratic Party. A movement emerged, with thousands urging Harris to commit to pursuing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The event was initially planned as a single appearance at a 1,500-seat venue, but due to high demand, Harris’ team added an earlier show. Outside the venue, dozens of activists demonstrated on the sidewalk.
Harris mentioned that she first publicly addressed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza around 18 months earlier while serving as vice president, acknowledging internal criticism from the Biden administration. She expressed understanding of the protesters’ concerns while asserting that the current situation was avoidable.
The Gaza conflict has caused significant division within the United States and the Democratic Party. According to Gaza’s Hamas-controlled Health Ministry, over 60,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict started after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths. Democratic activists have criticized leaders from both parties for not exerting more effort to halt the violence.
Throughout the event, Harris critiqued Trump’s policies and leadership style. She likened Trump’s approach to those of authoritarian regimes for suppressing dissent and criticized his handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The book tour is Harris’ first major public engagement series since losing the 2024 presidential election to Trump. “107 Days” details the rapid campaign she launched after Biden’s exit from the race, including the strategic decisions made during her unsuccessful bid for the presidency.
