Fighting back against Trump attacking abortion access: VP

Kamala Harris: What kind of country do we want to live in?

US Vice President Kamala Harris at a campaign event in Wisconsin / Screengrab of the campaign video

US Vice President Kamala Harris, who is of India American and African heritage, has said that she is fighting back against the extremists attacking abortion access across the country.

“There is so much at stake, and we are fighting back,” Harris said at Reproductive Freedom Event in Wisconsin, wherein she highlighted the stakes of the November election for reproductive freedom.

“There is a direct nexus between where we are on this subject and elections. On this subject in particular, there is a clear line between where we are now and who is to blame. Because the former president was very clear with his intention. He would fill and appoint three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe,” Harris said.

This was Vice President’s third campaign stop in 10 days on the importance of women’s reproductive freedom as she makes the case that "Donald Trump did this" and warns of the impact of the extreme state abortion bans Donald Trump enabled across the country since the overturning of Roe v Wade.

“When they then got on that court, they did exactly what he intended. And remember, let's not forget that interview where he said women should be punished. Let's not overlook that he has said he is proud of what he did. Proud? That healthcare providers could go to jail? No exception? Proud that our daughter, Doug and my daughter, will have fewer rights than her grandmother?” she told her supporters.

Elections matter. Organizing matters. Your voice matters. pic.twitter.com/6aVlpLIeVQ
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) April 22, 2024

Harris said she has been traveling across the US our country on this subject. “One of the things I do believe is that the majority of us as Americans do have empathy. What I'm finding is that more and more people will openly agree that one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling her what to do with her body. If she chooses, she will talk with her priest, her rabbi, her pastor, her imam. But it should not be the government telling her what to do,” she said.

“What I am finding is that when people go on election day, if they are encouraged and reminded that their vote can actually make a difference in terms of who holds that local seat, who holds that statewide seat. … when they are encouraged and reminded of the power of the individual and their vote to weigh in on this subject, they see and know what is possible,” she said.

“So that's what we are in the process of doing, is traveling the country…. reminding people of what is at stake, reminding them that I think most of us don't intend that other people would suffer, that most of us don't intend that the government would be making such personal decisions for other people, and that this is a moment where we must stand up for foundational, fundamental values and principles,” Harris said.

This will Harris’s third trip to Wisconsin this year and comes on the heels of a three-day tour of the state by two women who were denied necessary medical care because of Donald Trump’s abortion bans. In January, the Vice President kicked off her “Fight for Reproductive Freedom” tour in Waukesha.