Harris And Beyonc Ignite A Houston Rally With A Double-Barreled Argument Against Trump

HOUSTON (AP) Kamala Harris and Beyonc ignited a Houston rally with a double-barreled argument against Donald Trump on Friday, with the superstar telling the Democratic nominees biggest crowd ever that it was time to sing a new song as Harris warned that her GOP opponent was dead set on further eroding womens rights.

The rally was set in reliably Republican Texas, to highlight the growing medical fallout from the states strict abortion ban, but the message was intended to register in the political battleground states, where Harris is hoping that the aftereffects from the fall of Roe v. Wade will spur voters to turn out to support her quest for the presidency.

For all the men and women in this room, and watching around the country, we need you, Beyonc said in a rare political appearance. The megastars speech was lofty, joyful and optimistic a temper to the seriousness of the topic and of the message Harris was there to bring.

Im here as a mother, a mother who cares deeply about the world my children and all of our children live in, Beyonc said. A world where we have freedom to control our bodies, a world where were not divided.

Im not here as a celebrity. Im not here as a politician. Im here as a mother. - Beyonc speaks at Kamala Harris rally in Houston pic.twitter.com/taWpVhF6DC

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Im not here as a celebrity. Im not here as a politician. Im here as a mother. - Beyonc speaks at Kamala Harris rally in Houston pic.twitter.com/taWpVhF6DC
philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) October 26, 2024

Harris came out to huge cheers. She told the crowd that Trump had erased half a century of hard-fought progress when he appointed the Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe and touched off a growing healthcare crisis.

She listed off downstream effects she sees from various bans. Women who never intended to end a pregnancy are suffering devastating complications when they cant get care. They have fewer options, and fewer medical students are choosing to specialize in womens health.

For anyone watching from another state, if you think you are protected from Trump abortion bans because you live in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New York, California, or any state where voters or legislators have protected reproductive freedom, please know: No one is protected, Harris warned. Because a Donald Trump national ban will outlaw abortion in every single state.

All that to say, elections matter, she said.

Trump has been inconsistent in his message to voters on abortion and reproductive rights , though hes said hed veto a national abortion ban. He has repeatedly shifted his stance and offered vague, contradictory and at times nonsensical answers to questions on an issue that has become a major vulnerability for Republicans in this years election.

Trump was also in Texas Friday, where he predicted hed break records for the number of people deported from the United States if he wins the election. He taped a podcast with Joe Rogan before heading to a rally in Traverse City, Michigan, where he took the stage three hours late.

Harris was joined at the rally by women who have nearly died from sepsis and other pregnancy complications because they were unable to get proper medical care. Some of them have already been out campaigning for Harris and others have told their harrowing tales in campaign ads that seek to show how the issue has ballooned into something far bigger than the right to end an unwanted pregnancy.

Since abortion was restricted in Texas, the states infant death rate has increased , more babies have died of birth defects and maternal mortality has risen.

The crowd waited for hours, wearing flashing red, white and blue LED bracelets as trust women and freedom flashed on big screens between acts.

Sometimes they forget about us because were a Republican state, Rhonda Johnson, who has been living in Houston for 19 years, said. But Im glad shes here.

Reproductive rights, the economy and LGBTQ issues were key reasons for Yannick Djomatchoua in his decision to support Harris and wait in the hours-long line to see her. Its very personal, he said, adding that he knew friends who had to make difficult decisions due to the states abortion restrictions.

Harris campaign has taken on Beyoncs 2016 track Freedom as its anthem, and the message dovetails with the vice presidents emphasis on reproductive freedom. Beyonc was joined by her mother, Tina Knowles, and her former bandmate Kelly Rowland, who all spoke about Harris historic candidacy and a dream of a more united nation.

Our voices sing a chorus of unity, Beyonc said. They sing a song of dignity and opportunity are yall ready?

Harris was also joined by country legend Willie Nelson, who sang some of his greatest hits, including On the Road Again.

Hey, how are yall doing? the 91-year-old Nelson asked the crowd. Are we ready to say Madam President?

Increasingly, in 14 states with strict abortion bans, women cannot get medical care until their condition has become life-threatening . In some states, doctors can face criminal charges if they provide medical care .

Democrats warn that a winnowing of rights and freedoms will only continue if Trump is elected. Republican lawmakers in states across the U.S. have been rejecting Democrats efforts to protect or expand access to birth control, for example.

In America, freedom is not to be given. It is not to be bestowed. It is ours. By right. And that includes the fundamental freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have the government telling her what to do, Harris said.