Vice President Harris requires cease-fire in Gaza throughout speech at Bloody Sunday anniversary

Vice President Kamala Harris known as for a cease-fire in Gaza Sunday whereas commemorating the anniversary of Bloody Sunday, the day legislation enforcement officers attacked Civil Rights activists crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama.

Harris gave an 18-minute speech at a gathering on the bridge to acknowledge the 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. On March 7, 1965, officers beat 600 demonstrators with billy golf equipment and sprayed them with tear fuel throughout a march throughout the bridge in help of voting rights.

Earlier than honoring activists like Amelia Boynton and John Lewis, Harris acknowledged the continued humanitarian disaster in Gaza within the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict. 

Harris condemned Hamas whereas additionally calling on the Israeli authorities to extend help in Gaza. On Saturday, america navy completed its first airdrop of humanitarian help in Gaza after authorization from President Joe Biden final week.

Harris additionally acknowledged negotiations for a cease-fire within the area and mentioned she and Biden are “unwavering in our commitment to Israel’s security.”

“Given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate cease-fire for at least the next six weeks, which is currently on the table,” Harris mentioned.

Echoing the remarks Biden made final week, Harris mentioned the U.S. will proceed offering help to Gaza through airdrops and a possible route by sea.

“People in Gaza are starving, the conditions are inhumane and our common humanity compels us to act,” Harris mentioned.

She additionally honored the work of Civil Rights activists and drew comparisons between their combat for freedom and trendy threats to freedom, like gun violence and voting rights.

“The challenges we currently face are not unlike the challenges faced by those 600 brave souls 59 years ago,” Harris mentioned.