Shorter clip on the left. The clip on the right contains more of the extended protest.
As planned, GetEQUAL protesters got Obama's attention at a fundraiser for Senator Barbara Boxer last night in Los Angeles, heckling the President over "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and demanding equality for all Americans.
Here's the official transcript:
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Repeal âDonât Ask, Donât Tell!â
THE PRESIDENT: We are going to do that. Hey, hold on a second, hold on a second. We are going to do that.
AUDIENCE: Yes, we can! Yes, we can! Yes, we can! Yes, we can!
THE PRESIDENT: Here we go. All right — guys, guys, all right. I agree, I agree, I agree. (Applause.) Now —
AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: No, no, no, no, listen. What the young man was talking about was we need to — we need to repeal âDonât Ask, Don't Tell,â which I agree with and which we have begun to do. (Applause.) But let me say this: When youâve got an ally like Barbara Boxer and youâve got an ally like me who are standing for the same thing, then you don't know exactly why youâve got to holler, because we already hear you, all right? (Applause.) I mean, it would have made more sense to holler that at the people who oppose it. (Applause.)
……..
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Itâs time for equality for all Americans!
THE PRESIDENT: Iâm sorry, do you want to come up here? (Applause.) You know, the — all right, because can I just say, once again, Barbara and I are supportive of repealing âDonât Ask, Donât Tell,â so I don't know why youâre hollering.
Now, the problems that we have here put a further strain on folks in this state, forcing painful choices about where to spend and where to save. And the challenges folks have been facing here —
AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)
AUDIENCE: Yes, we can! Yes, we can! Yes, we can! Yes, we can!
THE PRESIDENT: Barbara — I just — everybody, I just wanted to confirm — I just wanted to confirm — I just checked with Barbara, so if anybody else is thinking about starting a chant, Barbara didnât even vote for âDonât Ask, Donât Tellâ in the first place, so you know sheâs going to be in favor of repealing âDonât Ask, Donât Tell.â (Applause.)
Two clips, AFTER THE JUMP…