Former Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to a sold-out Chevalier Theatre in Medford, Mass. on Saturday, one of 18 stops on her “107 Days” book tour. Moderated by Heather Cox Richardson, a professor of history at Boston College, Harris addressed issues ranging from President Donald Trump’s federal overreach to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The conversation was protested by individuals on all sides of the political spectrum. Outside the theater, five pro-Trump protesters waved “Trump 2024” flags, and one held a sign that read “Long Live King Trump.” Meanwhile, inside the theater, Harris’ remarks were interrupted four separate times by pro-Palestinian protesters in the crowd, holding Palestinian flags and standing up from seats in different sections of the theater, in a similar fashion to other stops on her book tour. While in office, former President Joe Biden and Harris were criticized by progressive members of the Democratic Party for not acting early in supporting a ceasefire in Gaza. The protesters were escorted out of the theater for disruption. Afterward, Harris reflected on the pushback she received in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza in March 2024 at the Bloody Sunday Commemoration in Selma, Ala. “From the beginning, I have been very, very concerned,” Harris said, addressing the demonstrators. Harris said she cares deeply about the future of Gaza in terms of security, governance, and rebuilding throughout the region. She also used the opportunity to contrast her foreign policy under Biden to that of Trump. “Right now, you are looking at an administration with this White House that could give two ‘you know whats’ about any of that, and gave Netanyahu a blank check for nine months leading up to this moment,” Harris said. In retrospect, Harris said she believes the Biden administration should have done more to help mitigate suffering in Gaza. “We should have used the leverage we had,” Harris said. “We should have spoken publicly about deep concerns I had about Netanyahu and how he was prosecuting that war.” During her time as vice president, Harris met with more than 150 world leaders. At the beginning of many of these meetings, she would say, “America is back,” referring to the contrast between the Biden administration and the first Trump administration. Harris said that many of these world leaders ask in response, “For how long?” “107 Days” takes readers through each day of Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign, from getting the call from Biden saying that he would be dropping out of the race to her conceding the election to Trump. Harris went on to note that in the 2024 election, one-third of the electorate voted for President Trump, one-third voted for her, and one-third did not vote. Moving forward, Harris urges party leaders and voters to reflect on why the remaining third of the American electorate did not vote last year. More recently, many of these voters made their voices heard in 2025 as a rebuke against the Trump administration, with Democrats sweeping races in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City. “We need to fight fire with fire, but we also need to be the party that emphasizes the battle between mis- and disinformation and truth,” Harris said. “We cannot afford to be passive observers. We cannot afford to allow this thing to be normalized.” Harris believes the “wake me up when it’s over” approach is not an option. “We have to remain vigilant. we have to pay attention, and no one should be made to fight alone,” Harris said. Ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, Harris said Democrats’ greatest challenge and opportunity is to tackle misinformation spread by the Trump administration on social media. “Leaders need to do a better job in helping inform the public, the consumer, about the harms, the strengths, and what they have a right to demand, and in particular, around the dissemination of accurate information,” Harris said. “There is a place to do it where you have standards that are ethical standards about verifying sources.” Reflecting on the “vestiges of our democracy,” Harris encouraged the audience not to let the Trump administration “defeat [their] spirits.” “We cannot let this moment convince us that there’s no option that we have right now,” Harris said. “If we let them do that to us, they’re winning.” Harris dedicated “107 Days” to her campaign team. In the audience was Dan Koh, a member of her 2024 campaign staff who is vying for Rep. Seth Moulton’s seat in Congress, as Moulton is taking on incumbent Senator Ed Markey in the Democratic primary. Harris referred to Koh as an “extraordinary leader and servant.” On the 2024 campaign trail, Harris often said, “When we fight, we win.” Moving forward, Harris encouraged audience members to “hold on” to their fight. “The power is with the people,” Harris said. “The power is truly with us. It’s our country.”.
https://berkeleybeacon.com/former-vice-president-harris-talks-107-days-amid-protesters-and-national-reckoning-against-trump/
Tag Archives: kamala harris
In Philly visit, Kamala Harris opens up about regrets in failed White House bid
Former Vice President Kamala Harris discusses her new book “107 Days” in front of a packed audience at The Met in Philadelphia on Thursday night.
— TRIBUNE PHOTO/KYLAN WATSON
Before the discussion with former Vice President Kamala Harris, a line could be seen down North Broad Street outside The Met on Thursday.
— TRIBUNE PHOTO/KYLAN WATSON
Former Vice President Kamala Harris, right, on stage with Dawn Staley on Thursday at The Met.
— TRIBUNE PHOTO/KYLAN WATSON
The Met in North Philadelphia was filled to capacity on Thursday to hear former Vice President Kamala Harris tell her story in the second stop of her book tour for *107 Days*. The discussion was moderated by Philadelphia native, basketball star, and championship coach Dawn Staley, who asked Harris questions about why she wrote the book, the importance of family, and the characteristics of a good president.
“First to remember how unprecedented those 107 days were,” Harris said. “And I would also like history to recall and to point out that it was the closest election in the 21st century, so I decided to write a book.”
The book chronicles her failed presidential campaign and offers Harris’ perspective on critical moments in the election. It also outlines her own regrets about her decisions and performance during the campaign. Harris said she wanted to make sure her voice was present when the story is told for the history books.
She also talked about a conversation she had with Angela Merkel, the former chancellor of Germany, who told Harris to never let anyone make her cry.
“It was such an important moment for me—this world leader who had been doing it for 15 years at that level, who saw something about what was happening here and offered that type of advice,” Harris said.
Harris expressed gratefulness to the men and women in her life who have offered her advice that considered the realities of being the first woman president.
Throughout the conversation, she spoke frankly about the current political situation the country is in and encouraged everyone in attendance to continue to fight to make the country better.
“I wanted to see her, I wanted to hear what she has to say since the election,” said Barbara Long, an attendee at the event. “For the time she had, I thought she did great, but I think a lot of people were disappointed. I love her and I’m still supporting her.”
Long mentioned she wanted to hear about Harris’ plans for the future. While Harris did not delve into that topic during the conversation, she did talk about how she predicted many developments during the second Trump administration—except for the capitulation from the private sector, colleges and universities, and other organizations in the country.
“I’m hoping to hear what she went through,” said Dana Boone, a Pennsylvania resident who attended the event. “I know it took a toll on her mentally, probably physically. I want to hear how she was able to get through those 107 days.”
Harris touched on some behind-the-scenes moments, specifically around election night and how she had not cried like she did that night since her mother’s death. She also talked about the toll that campaigning took on her marriage to Doug Emhoff, who was worried about the results in Pennsylvania.
Additionally, Harris said that until she started creating the book, the two had not talked about what happened on election night and how traumatic it was for them.
“There’s a certain clarity [from crying] that comes with that about seeing what’s important and what’s not,” Harris said. “Trying to understand the importance of being a leader who understands the suffering of other people and then trying to do something about it to lift them up.”
During the event, Staley asked Harris questions from the audience that touched on the importance of Gen Zers, investing in children and future generations, teaching the history of the country, and the fear around censorship.
“Instead of constantly trying to divide our nation and create fear and a sense of loneliness, part of why I wrote the book is to remind us to pay attention,” Harris said.
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https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/in-philly-visit-kamala-harris-opens-up-about-regrets-in-failed-white-house-bid/article_7f9a24c1-b0f2-4272-b999-4e0103570b1a.html