PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Vice President Kamala Harris and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday addressed the Service Employees International Union convention in Philadelphia to tout their unwavering support of labor in the midst of a presidential election they said has high stakes for the economy, for democracy, and for international relations.
Harris warned delegates in no uncertain terms that democracy is on the line in this year’s election, at times having to speak over 30 pro-Palestinian demonstrators who were in the convention hall loudly chanting “Free Palestine” throughout her remarks.
The 3,500 SEIU members in attendance responded by chanting “Four more years” even more loudly.
The vice president did not address the Israel-Hamas war but soldiered on over the din, staying on message, asserting the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to supporting organized labor and to defending democracy.
“We are here today because we are clear-eyed about the stakes of this moment. Across our nation, we see full-on attacks on hard-won, hard-fought freedoms and rights,” she said.
“Our country needs you, SEIU, to organize, to mobilize, and to make your voices heard.”
SEIU plans to spend $200 million to support the Biden-Harris ticket in the November election. Newly elected union president April Verrett heaped praise on the president and vice president.
“Time after time, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have shown us that they stand with us, not the billionaires. They stand with us to fight for the good jobs every family needs,” Verrett told the assembled membership.
Secret Service agents surrounded the protesters, who left when the vice president’s speech ended. Delegate Emmanuel Velanzuela called it a small distraction.
“It wasn’t too hard to focus on what she was saying. She did make a lot of good points as to where they want to see the country heading,” Velanzuela said.
But the disruption illustrated the challenge the Israel-Hamas war poses for Biden and Harris as they campaign for re-election. SEIU also passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
“My focus remained on the vice president and her message,” said SEIU member Belinda Taylor-Jones.
Taylor-Jones says she is a fan of Harris, but she was also pleased the protesters were allowed to stay in the hall and chant through her speech. “I do support their right to be heard and also what they were trying to convey.”
Peace, stability and enduring friendship
Later in the afternoon, Trudeau boasted of the Canadian government’s support for labor. There was no protest during his remarks.
SEIU is one of 25 bi-national unions that Canada and the U.S. share — something Trudeau says exemplifies the two countries’ friendship.
“The relationship you share in this room is just like the relationship we share between our two countries. Canada and the U.S. have one of the closest and most extensive relationships in the world,” he said.
“At this moment of global crises and deep uncertainty, Canada and the United States know that we can count on one another.”
The prime minister took a moment to outline some of the work his government is doing with unions in Canada, including a $25-an-hour minimum wage for health aids, $10-a-day universal child care, and free insulin.
And he seized the opportunity to argue against American tariffs on Canadian steel exports, which Donald Trump imposed during his presidency. The Republican candidate has threatened to do so again if he wins in November.
Trudeau is not endorsing an American presidential candidate, but he stressed that the two countries’ close ties mean tariffs could be as bad for U.S. jobs as for Canada.
“Our partnership is forged by shared geography, values, common interests, strong people-to-people ties and powerful, multi-layered economic connections,” he said.
“The best argument as to why Canada shouldn’t be hit with tariffs or punitary, protectionist measures, was that it would hurt American jobs as well.”
That, he added, includes Pennsylvania jobs. Trudeau noted that Canada is the state’s largest export partner.
“It is to the benefit of Americans and Canadians to work well together, regardless of who’s in the White House.”