Presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., was repeatedly booed at an event for liberal women of color on Wednesday.
At the She the People presidential forum, Sanders was pressed on how he would combat white supremacy. He mentioned he was present during the historic March on Washington in 1963 with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which prompted members of the audience to groan. According to Fox News, someone shouted from the audience “We know!”
Despite the vocal displeasure from the crowd, Sanders continued on, saying, “as somebody who actively supported Jesse Jackson’s campaign, as one of the few white elected officials to do so in ’88, I have dedicated my life to the fight against racism, and sexism, and discrimination of all forms.”
Sanders was also asked about how he could attract support from voters who backed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primary, in particular black women who endorsed Clinton. In response, Sanders said President Trump is the “most dangerous president” in modern history and called for unity among Democrats.
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His answer prompted co-host Joy Reid to ask: “Yeah, and for black women specifically?”
“Black women will be an integral part of what our campaign, and what our administration is about. Okay? And that means …” Sanders said before he was cut off by hecklers in the audience.
Once the crowd quieted down, host Aimee Allison asked if Sanders had anything to add, but he said he did not.
The She the People presidential forum was held at Texas Southern University in Houston.
Sanders is a leading candidate in a crowded Democratic primary field. Other 2020 candidates who were in attendance at the event included Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kamala Harris of California.
[Read more: Women of color frustrated with white males in Democratic primary]
