Federal Video

Book Bans and Gun Control: 3 Minutes From Kamala Harris’ Speech to Teachers

By Jaclyn Borowski — July 25, 2024 2:51
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to members of the American Federation of Teachers at their annual conference in Houston on July 25, 2024.

Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the American Federation of Teachers at the union’s convention in Houston on July 25. She contrasted her party’s desire to ban assault weapons with book bans that have proliferated around the country at the urging of conservative community members.

“Book bans in this year of our Lord 2024. Just think about it,” she told the crowd of about 3,500. “So we want to ban assault weapons and they want to ban books. Can you imagine?”

Here’s an excerpt from her message to educators.

See Also

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to members of the American Federation of Teachers at their annual conference in Houston on July 25, 2024.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to members of the American Federation of Teachers at their convention in Houston on July 25, 2024. Harris spoke to the nation's second largest teachers' union just days after President Joe Biden abandoned his reelection bid and the vice president appeared to clinch the Democratic presidential nomination.
Annie Mulligan for Education Week
Federal Kamala Harris Rallies Teachers: 'God Knows We Don't Pay You Enough'
Libby Stanford, July 25, 2024
4 min read

Jaclyn Borowski is the director of photography and videography for Education Week.

Video

Teaching Video Flexible Seating Without the Chaos. This Teacher Has Figured It Out
This 4th grade class utilizes 11 different types of flexible seating to keep them moving throughout the day.
1:36
Flexible Seating BS
Sam Mallon/Education Week
School & District Management Video How One School Transformed Early Release Days With Outdoor Learning
This Vermont school uses Project Wild to build school connection and social-emotional learning on early release days.
2:48
Wild Wednesday BS
Courtesy of Vergennes Union Elementary School
Student Well-Being Video These Simple Classroom Exercises Can Improve Student Behavior
Incorporating yoga and mindfulness practices in the classroom has helped these students recover from the trauma of Hurricane Helene.
1 min read
Victoria Jorden, a 3rd grade teacher at Gray Court-Ownings School, leads students through a yoga exercise during class in Gray Court, S.C., on Dec. 10, 2024.
Victoria Jorden, a 3rd grade teacher at Gray Court-Ownings School, leads students through a yoga exercise during class in Gray Court, S.C., on Dec. 10, 2024.
Evan Griffith for Education Week
Student Well-Being Video Teachers, Try This: Use Dance to Boost Engagement and Learning
From physics to math, this dance teacher shows how incorporating movement can increase student engagement and understanding.
Members of eMotion Breakdance bring rehearsal outside during a fire drill at Bellaire High School on Nov. 21, 2024, in Houston.
Members of eMotion Breakdance bring rehearsal outside during a fire drill at Bellaire High School on Nov. 21, 2024, in Houston.
Annie Mulligan for Education Week