Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley‘s campaign rally in northern Virginia on Thursday evening was repeatedly interrupted by protesters upset over the Israel–Hamas war.
Haley is barnstorming several Super Tuesday states, including Virginia, to gear up support in her primary against former President Donald Trump.
But her campaign speech was derailed by at least seven pro-Palestinian protesters who screamed at Haley and called for an immediate ceasefire.
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“Ceasefire now! End the genocide!” shouted one protester who was quickly removed from the event.
Haley’s supporters booed every protester who interrupted Haley and continually chanted “Nikki! Nikki! Nikki!” in response to the disruptions.
But the protesters could be heard screaming as they were escorted out of the Westin Tysons Corner Hotel in Falls Church, Virginia. One protester kept yelling, “God bless the lamb!” outside the room where Haley addressed supporters.
The war in the Middle East has led to backlash over allegations Israel is committing genocide against Palestinian residents living in Gaza. Republicans are not the only lawmakers who have been targeted.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have also been frequent targets of ceasefire activists during campaign stops. At a campaign stop in January at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, pro-Palestinian protesters repeatedly interrupted Biden’s campaign speech.
A few weeks after that, Biden was again heckled by at least 14 pro-Palestinian protesters during an abortion rights rally in Virginia.
Haley started her speech warning the crowd about the disruptions. “To my protester friends, please, please be respectful,” she implored the crowd. A man in the crowd shouted, “Get out!”
Within minutes of her warning, a protester proved her point.
“I told you,” Haley quipped as the crowd laughed.
It became less funny to the crowd as Haley kept facing aggressive protesters.
The standing-room crowd of attendees continued defending Haley as she patiently waited out the interruptions.
The last protesters interrupted Haley after the speech as she was shaking hands and speaking with supporters. They were also booted out of the event quickly.
Haley is touring the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area ahead of the GOP primary in the nation’s capital, which begins on Friday and lasts through Sunday. Virginia is among the 15 states and one U.S. territory that votes on Super Tuesday.
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Earlier Thursday, Haley appeared at the Westin Richmond Hotel located in the capital of the Old Dominion and will also speak at Washington’s Madison Hotel on 15th Street on Friday.
She currently trails Trump by double digits in national polls but has vowed to remain a presidential candidate through Super Tuesday’s spate of primaries.
