Jimmy Williams
Vice President Kamala Harris visited Philadelphia Sunday to rally voters and strengthen turnout with the countdown to Election Day reaching its final week. Speaking at the Church of Christian Compassion, Harris urged congregants to approach the election with determination and faith, framing the decision as pivotal for the country’s future.
“In just nine days, we have the power to decide the fate of our nation for generations to come,” Harris told the congregation, emphasizing the importance of every single vote.
During her speech, Harris paused briefly when a disruption occurred in the crowd, responding, “That’s why we fight for our democracy. Every voice is important.” Her message of inclusion and resolve resonated as she encouraged attendees to take their convictions to the polls. “Here in Pennsylvania, each of us has an opportunity to make a difference. We get to choose what kind of country we want to live in,” she added, urging Philadelphians to “answer not just with words, but with our works.”
Harris’ visit to Philadelphia is part of a recent string of appearances in Pennsylvania, where she has focused heavily on mobilizing voters in urban and suburban areas. This visit included stops at key community sites such as the Famous 4th Street Deli and Philly Cuts, a Black-owned barbershop where Harris spoke directly with Black male voters, a demographic her campaign has been working to energize.
Barbershop owner Darryl Thomas expressed enthusiasm for Harris’ visit, saying, “We’re behind you 100%. All the misnomers, put them aside. You’re home. We got you.”
Harris closed out her day in Philadelphia with a rally at the Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man” Center, where she again urged voters to turn out in large numbers. “The election is here, and the choice, Philly, is truly in your hands,” she declared. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the region’s critical role in past elections. “More people came out to vote in Philadelphia in 2020, and we’re looking for that momentum again,” Parker said, recalling that President Biden’s 2020 victory in Pennsylvania was partly driven by high turnout in Philadelphia and surrounding counties.
With the election just days away, Harris is expected to appear at a concert rally on Monday at Temple University’s Liacouras Center, where she’ll be joined by former President Barack Obama and music legend Bruce Springsteen. The high-profile event, organized to boost voter enthusiasm, will bring together some of Harris’ most influential supporters. Springsteen, who recently endorsed Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, will headline the rally, with Obama also scheduled to speak.
Speaking to CBS News Philadelphia, Harris expressed her appreciation for the support. “To have people like Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen out here backing us is incredible,” she said, adding that Springsteen’s involvement “shows the breadth and depth of the support we have.”
Former President Donald Trump will also be back in the Philadelphia area this week, with a campaign event planned for Tuesday in Drexel Hill.