Gay rights protesters interrupt Obama speech at fundraiser

Gay rights protesters interrupted President Barack Obama’s speech at a fundraiser for California Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) Monday night in Los Angeles.

Activists from a group called GetEQUAL began shouting at Obama while he was speaking at the podium. They expressed frustration over the slow progress of repealing the ban on openly gay people serving in the military.

{mosads}The protests brought the speech to a halt, and the protesters did not lower their voices after others in the crowd urged them to end their shouting.

“What about ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell?'” one protester shouted, according to a White House pool report.

Obama yelled back: “We are going to do that.”

Obama then raised his voice to speak over the protesters. “We are going to repeal don’t ask, don’t tell,” Obama said.

Five minutes later, Obama was again interrupted by a protester who yelled, “It’s time for equality for all Americans.”

“Can I just say again Barbara and I are supportive of repealing don’t ask, don’t tell,” Obama responded.

A protester again yelled out, halting Obama’s remarks, before much of the crowd began chanting “yes we can” and drowned out the protesters shouts.

The Obama administration has received heat from some on the left for taking its time in repealing the law. The Pentagon has commissioned a year-long review of the policy after Obama said he supported repealing the measure. 

The president was out west to campaign for Boxer, who is facing a tough reelection battle this fall.