Kamala Harris came out in defense of peaceful protesters in Kenosha, condemning looting and violence in 'prebuttal' to Trump's RNC speech

• Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris delivered a speech Thursday afternoon where she addressed the protests over the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis.
• Harris was delivering a so-called prebuttal to President Donald Trump's convention speech later in the evening, with Trump and fellow Republicans going after the Biden campaign for not condemning looting and violence in Kenosha along with bigger US cities.
• "We must always defend peaceful protest and peaceful protesters. We should not confuse them with those looting and committing acts of violence, including the shooter, who was arrested for murder."
• The Trump campaign has been repeatedly misstating Biden's stances on criminal justice at this week's RNC, saying Biden is in favor of defunding the police when his plan is actually to provide more resources to departments making reforms.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris delivered a live "prebuttal" Thursday afternoon to President Donald Trump's convention speech Republican convention speech later that night.

Speaking from Washington, DC, Senator Harris mainly focused on the coronavirus, the economy and the protests over police violence and systemic racism in Kenosha, Wis., following the shooting of Jacob Blake.

Since Blake was shot seven times in the back by police and left paralyzed, protests in the Wisconsin city of just over 100,000 have been a major news story and are emerging as a new focus for the Trump campaign and its "law and order" mantra.

Harris reiterated her running mate's assertion of support for peaceful protesters coupled with a condemnation of any looting and violence.

"We must always defend peaceful protest and peaceful protesters. We should not confuse them with those looting and committing acts of violence, including the shooter, who was arrested for murder."

Harris recalled other Black Americans who have lost their lives to police violence, including Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.

"People are rightfully angry and exhausted," Harris said. "And after the murders of Breonna, and George [Floyd], and Ahmaud, and so many others, it's no wonder people are taking to the streets. And I support them."

Harris and Biden recently spoke to the Blake family, and Harris publicly gave her sympathies to them on Thursday.

"My heart goes out to the Blake family as they endure an ordeal that is tragically common in our country," Harris said. "Joe and I spoke with them yesterday. They are an amazing group of people with extraordinary courage."

"Even as they seek justice for their son, they spoke about the need to end the violence and heal our nation."