Who was the man who heckled President Biden during his speech in Tempe?

Morgan Fischer

Arizona Republic (azcentral.com)

During his speech in Tempe on Thursday, President Joe Biden was interrupted by a heckler, who called on the president to declare a national climate emergency.

The heckler was Kai Newkirk, a progressive activist based in Tempe, according to his website. He posted a video of his actions on X, formerly known as Twitter. Newkirk shouted during the speech, “Why have you yet to declare a climate emergency?” among other things.

Kai Newkirk – Netroot Nations

Newkirk is the founder of For All, a center for nonviolent action, and other political organizations, according to his website.

“We need your leadership President Biden,” Newkirk said as he was escorted out of the Tempe Center for the Arts, where the speech was held.

Biden in Arizona:President praises John McCain, excoriates Trump and ‘MAGA extremists’

Biden responded to Newkirk from the stage, saying he’d meet with him after the speech.

“You shush up, I’ll meet with you immediately after this, OK?” Biden said.

That meeting did not happen, however, Newkirk said. He took to X and posted, “I couldn’t hear his offer to meet as folks yelled at me, but I would gladly have accepted his offer and still do if the offer stands.”

During the speech, Biden announced a new library on Arizona State University’s Tempe campus dedicated to the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Reach reporter Morgan Fischer at morgan.fischer@gannett.com or on X, formally known as Twitter, @morgfisch.

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