Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. last week to make her case to D.C. voters. Attempting to separate herself from former president Donald Trump, she urged voters to “turn the page” on what she alluded to being the Trump era of American politics.
According to the Harris/Walz campaign, over 75,000 people turned out for the rally. Many attendees waved American flags and cheered as Harris walked onto the stage.
At the Oct. 29 rally, Harris voiced her belief that Americans have more in common than what divides them, promising to be a “president for all Americans.”
During her speech, she discussed her initiatives for the middle class, such as capping the price of insulin, attacking price gouging, and defending the Affordable Care Act.
Harris criticized Trump’s economic plan, claiming he would implement tax cuts for billionaires and big corporations.
According to the Pew Research Center, the economy is the top issue among voters. 81 percent of registered voters say that the economy will be very important to their vote in the presidential election.
Ashley Rayford, a senior political science major and legal communications minor, looks forward to Harris’ proposed “opportunity economy.”
“If elected I look forward to her building that opportunity economy she’s spoken so much about because a lot of Americans have been struggling financially, especially in the wake of the pandemic,” Rayford said.
Under Harris’ economic plans, working and middle-class families would receive a tax cut through a child tax credit and earned income tax credit programs.
The vice president also spoke about reproductive rights, pledging to restore the rights of Roe v. Wade. She claimed that one in three women lived in a state with a “Trump abortion ban.”
“I will fight to restore what Donald Trump and his hand-selected Supreme Court justices took away from the women of America,” Harris said.
As president, Harris said she would sign a bill to restore reproductive freedom nationwide into law.
Addressing immigration, Harris said she would work with Democrats and Republicans to pass the border security bill. She blamed Donald Trump for “killing” the border security bill.
Harris credited her record as a California attorney general, specifically her involvement in prosecuting transnational organized crime and cross-border crime.
If elected to office, Harris said she would work with Congress to pass immigration reform and an earned pathway for citizenship.
Bijou-Elyse Wallace, a sophomore political science and English double major, legal communications minor, said that Harris’ campaign aims to be inclusive of all Americans.
Still, she feels cautiously optimistic following Harris’ speech.
“I’m curious to see how quickly she can tackle those big issues she talked about since many are deeply rooted,” Wallace said.
Zaida Streit, a junior sociology major and criminology minor, voiced her opinions about young people voting in this election cycle.
“This is my first time being able to vote. It is important for us to cast our vote because we are the ones that make change in the world and push for the policies we want,” Streit said.
Throughout the speech, Harris criticized Trump’s political actions, accusing him of advocating for division, chaos and mutual distrust.
Harris offered a different path and ultimately asked the American people for their vote.
“I will work with everyone—Democrats, Republicans, and Independents—to help Americans who are working hard and still struggling to get ahead,” she said.
While Rayford agreed with Harris’ economic plan, she voiced her concerns about American involvement in the Middle East.
Outside the rally, pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets to protest America’s support for Israel.
A few individuals at the rally also held signs that said “Stop arming Israel.”
Michael Gee, a Howard alumnus and protestor, held a sign that said “Demand more from Kamala or we vote for Jill Stein.”
“There is no reason why American tax dollars should be used to harm people overseas. There is no reason why America has to play a part in such brutality internationally,” Rayford said.
According to Data for Progress, the majority of Americans support a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
If Harris is elected, Rayford hopes to see a permanent ceasefire in the region.
Copy edited by Camiryn Stepteau
