Vice President Kamala Harris was welcomed by over 10,000 supporters in what was her campaign’s largest rally to date in Atlanta, a key battleground state, addressing border control, economic disparities and former President Donald Trump.
Held at Georgia State University, the rally was attended by key political and cultural figures, conveying the unprecedented momentum the Harris campaign has built in the mere days since announcing her candidacy. It featured a performance by rapper Megan Thee Stallion and appearances by rapper and Atlanta native Quavo, Senator Raphael Warnock, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and former Georgia State Representative Stacey Abrams, among others.
Harris was introduced by Tyler Greene, a student at Morehouse College and business owner who credits Vice President Harris with uplifting young Black entrepreneurs. From here, Harris refused to hold back on key issues, including Trump’s decision not to debate her on ABC News in September and comments made by the former president and his running mate about her.
“Donald, I do hope you’ll reconsider to meet me on the debate stage because, as the saying goes: If you got something to say, say it to my face,” Harris stated as the crowd roared.
Harris fired away on Trump’s history as an accused sexual predator and 34 felony convictions, while paralleling her own career as a courtroom prosecutor, stating, “I know Donald Trump’s type,” as the crowd chanted, “Lock him up.”
Harris offered a rebuttal to her actions as vice president regarding border control, providing insight on her handling of transnational gangs and cartels at the California-Mexico border as attorney general. She vowed to bring back the border security bill that President Trump helped kill and sign it into law.
“Donald Trump doesn’t care about border security, he only cares about himself,” Harris exclaimed.
Vice President Harris was not shy about addressing her concerns about Project 2025, either, calling it “a plan to weaken the middle class.” She also leaned into her efforts to combat economic disparity, vowing to take on price gouging and bring down economic costs on day one, deal with corporate landlords, address unfair rent increases and give Americans the ability to own a home and build generational wealth.
Addressing the road ahead of the election on November 5, Harris called her effort “a people-powered campaign” as she touted the historic grassroots fundraising efforts since President Biden’s withdrawal from the race. The Harris campaign has raised over $200 million as of publishing.
Harris is expected to hold a rally in Philadelphia with her vice president pick on August 6, according to reports. President Biden told reporters Monday night that he’s “talking” with Harris about her choices for vice president.
Harris will need to be voted as her party’s nominee at the Democratic National Convention in August in order to officially compete in the election in November.