A protester shouted at Vice President Kamala Harris during her speech in the Bronx on Friday about the Biden administration’s Build Back Better agenda — blaming the city’s outdated infrastructure for the drowning deaths of 13 New Yorkers.
Harris was talking about elements of the plan, saying it was about “being better on climate” and supporting working families, when a man in the audience at the Edenwald YMCA in the northeast Bronx stood up and interrupted her remarks.
Vice President Kamala Harris was heckled during a visit to the Bronx to promote the Build Back Better agenda on October 22, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Segar
The man started yelling about the deaths in New York City from flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin“Eight families drowned here in Queens. It could have been prevented if we had the right infrastructure,” the heckler yelled. He was apparently referring to the 13 people who died last month from Hurricane Ida floodwaters, including 11 who drowned in basements.
City officials have blamed the tragedies on an outdated sewer system that couldn’t handle the torrential rainfall.
“You are right, brother,” Harris replied from the podium.
“I am right about that,” the heckler continued.
Harris admitted the man was right about the deaths being preventable with better infrastructure. REUTERS/Mike Segar
The heckler was eventually escorted out by Secret Service members. CSPAN“I know you are. And how about you and I talk about that,” she said before he interrupted her again, this time shouting about China’s Belt and Road initiative.
Harris plowed ahead, saying, “I’m happy to talk to you, but right now let’s talk about the agenda.”
Then Secret Service agents ushered him out of the room.
