Kamala Harris addressed a raucous crowd in North Philadelphia on Sunday, promising supporters that she would win a presidential election that appeared to be stalled with nine days left until Election Day.
“There are only nine days left in one of the most important elections of our lifetimes, and we know it will be close until the end,” the vice president told hundreds of supporters. “And don’t get me wrong, we will win.”
Harris reiterated a message she has been hammering home on the campaign trail in recent weeks, calling the election a choice between “two very different visions for our country.” Harris accused Donald Trump of waging a selfish revenge campaign while she and her supporters work toward a better future for all Americans.
“We have an opportunity before us to change the fear and division that has defined our politics for a decade because of Donald Trump,” Harris said. “We have the ability to turn the page and are ready to chart a new path forward because we are tired of that old, boring strategy.”
Harris took the stage after visiting a predominantly black church and barbershop in West Philadelphia, emphasizing the city’s importance to her campaign strategy. Harris’ ability to field Democrats in Philadelphia will be key to winning Pennsylvania, a state that could be a turning point in the electoral system.
“There are too many issues at stake. We should not wake up the day after the election and regret what we were able to accomplish in the last nine days,” Harris said. “The election has begun, Philadelphia, and the choice is right in your hands. The path to victory runs through every leader here.”
Philadelphia Mayor Sherrell Parker was one of several prominent Democrats to introduce the vice president at the rally. Parker, the first black woman to serve as the city’s mayor, asked attendees to remember how they felt when they saw Trump win in 2016 and urged them to do everything in their power to prevent it from happening again. I called out. She reminded that Joe Biden won Pennsylvania by just 1.2 percentage points in 2020, four years after Trump led the state by 0.7 percentage points.
“What do you think was the difference between the 2016 vote and the 2020 vote?” Parker said. “More people came to vote in the city of Philadelphia and neighboring counties.”
But the rally presented at least one warning sign for Harris. A pro-Palestinian demonstrator interrupted Harris’ opening remarks, prompting boos from other protesters before the demonstrator was escorted away.
Harris didn’t shy away from addressing protesters, instead focusing her full attention on the war in Gaza, telling the crowd: My power to achieve that purpose. ”
The stakes of the election came up repeatedly in conversations with rally attendees, and many said they felt a sense of responsibility as voters in battleground states. Wallingford voter Brenda Eckson, 60, known as the “Pride Lady of Philadelphia,” wears a “Timeline to Freedom” apron at a rally, telling the history of Philadelphia from the founding of Pennsylvania to the signing of the Proclamation. Participated in About independence and the civil rights movement.
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“Our Philadelphia story is our country’s story, and that’s what we’re really fighting for. We don’t want Donald Trump to take this away from us,” Exxon said. . “With the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States coming up (the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence), who should be the president to celebrate it in 2026? Kamala Harris.”
Despite polls showing a close race, Harris’ supporters in Philadelphia seemed confident she would win. Jacob Roberts, 26, a Westchester voter who has already voted for Harris, said enthusiasm for Trump seems to have waned in Pennsylvania this year.
“I see a lot of Kamala Yard signs everywhere,” Roberts said. “Actually, I just drove out to western Pennsylvania. I didn’t see many Trump signs on barns or anything like that, so I think it’s in good condition.”
Asked if he regretted missing a Philadelphia Eagles football game to attend Harris’ rally, Roberts said it was well worth it, saying, “This is what we’re talking about. It’s about our country,” he added.
