Vice President Kamala Harris joined former President Barack Obama on the campaign trail for the first time, rallying in Clarkston, Georgia, to energize Black voters and present a closing argument for the election. The rally took place in Atlanta’s eastern suburbs, an area that is both symbolically and demographically significant in Georgia.
“Ours is a fight for the future,” Harris declared to the crowd, highlighting key issues like lowering costs for healthcare, housing, and groceries. “I come from the middle class, and I will never forget where I come from.” She reiterated her belief that “healthcare should be a right, not a privilege” and warned that former President Donald Trump would undo the Affordable Care Act and remove the $35 cap on insulin prices.
Harris also reaffirmed her stance on abortion rights, referencing Amber Nicole Thurman, a Georgia woman whose death was recently linked to the state’s abortion restrictions. “Donald Trump still refuses to acknowledge the pain he has caused … women are being denied care during miscarriages,” she added.
Although some polls have suggested a potential dip in support among Black male voters, Democratic activists argue that these findings are overemphasized for political effect. “I do not believe that significant numbers are going to vote for the likes of Donald Trump,” said Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock, referencing Trump’s history of racial discrimination and divisive rhetoric. Warnock added, “We know who Donald Trump is. We are not confused.”
In the closing days of the campaign, Harris’s team has focused its messaging to appeal directly to Black voters, with Harris emphasizing that her background does not entitle her to Black support but underscores her commitment to earning it.
Obama also took the stage, launching into sharp criticism of Trump, calling out his pandemic response failures, incompetence, and, as relayed by Trump’s own former staff, his desire for military generals akin to those of Hitler’s regime. He cautioned that Trump’s erratic behavior, while often downplayed, could be dangerous if he were to regain power.
To increase momentum, the campaign has welcomed prominent Black celebrities to events, including Samuel L. Jackson, Spike Lee, and Tyler Perry, who shared personal stories about Atlanta’s role in their journeys. Perry, who rose from homelessness to success in the city, told the crowd, “We are all shapes, sizes, and colors. But we are one.” Bruce Springsteen also performed an acoustic set before Harris and Obama took the stage, telling the crowd, “Donald Trump is running to be an American tyrant.”
Clarkston, often called the most diverse square mile in America, provided a fitting backdrop for the rally. As a hub for refugee resettlement, its streets are lined with residents from over 50 different countries. Congressman Hank Johnson, who represents Clarkston, noted, “These are hard-working people, our brothers and sisters … part of the fabric of America.”
Clarkston and the surrounding area have undergone substantial revitalization in recent years, though economic challenges persist, with some neighborhoods facing significant poverty. Resident Jacquelyn Smith described the event’s impact on her community, saying, “I saw little Black girls walking here who will never see something like this again.” She reflected on the journey from Stone Mountain, passing a boulevard named after Confederate General Robert E. Lee, to witness such a moment.
Naturalized citizens, who make up a significant portion of Georgia’s diverse metro Atlanta population, could play a pivotal role in the election if they turn out. Early voting in Georgia has already reached record numbers, with nearly a third of Georgians casting ballots and some counties exceeding 50% turnout. Harris’s campaign has mobilized volunteers statewide, urging them to participate in phone banks and door-to-door canvassing efforts.
Senator Jon Ossoff closed the rally with a nod to late Congressman John Lewis, saying, “John Lewis bled on that bridge so we could rise to this moment.”
