HOUSTON (AP) — Kamala Harris and Beyoncé ignited a Houston rally with a double-barreled argument in opposition to Donald Trump on Friday, with the famous person telling the Democratic nominee’s largest crowd ever that it was “time to sing a new song” as Harris warned that her GOP opponent was useless set on additional eroding ladies’s rights.
The rally was set in reliably Republican Texas, to focus on the rising medical fallout from the state’s strict abortion ban, however the message was meant to register within the political battleground states, the place Harris is hoping that the aftereffects from the autumn of Roe v. Wade will spur voters to prove to help her quest for the presidency.
“For all the men and women in this room, and watching around the country, we need you,” Beyoncé mentioned in a uncommon political look. The megastar’s speech was lofty, joyful and optimistic — a mood to the seriousness of the subject and of the message Harris was there to deliver.
“I’m here as a mother, a mother who cares deeply about the world my children and all of our children live in,” Beyoncé mentioned. “A world where we have freedom to control our bodies, a world where we’re not divided.”
Harris got here out to large cheers. She instructed the gang that Trump had erased half a century of hard-fought progress when he appointed the Supreme Courtroom justices who overturned Roe and touched off a rising healthcare disaster.
She listed off downstream results she sees from varied bans. Girls who by no means meant to finish a being pregnant are struggling devastating problems after they can’t get care. They’ve fewer choices, and fewer medical college students are selecting to focus on ladies’s well being.
“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 mentioned.
Trump has been inconsistent in his message to voters on abortion and reproductive rights, although he’s mentioned he’d veto a nationwide abortion ban. He has repeatedly shifted his stance and supplied obscure, contradictory and at occasions nonsensical solutions to questions on a problem that has turn into a significant vulnerability for Republicans on this yr’s election.
Trump was additionally in Texas Friday, the place he predicted he’d break data for the variety of folks deported from the US if he wins the election. He taped a podcast with Joe Rogan earlier than heading to a rally in Traverse Metropolis, Michigan, the place he took the stage three hours late.
Harris was joined on the rally by ladies who’ve practically died from sepsis and different being pregnant problems as a result of they have been unable to get correct medical care. A few of them have already been out campaigning for Harris and others have instructed their harrowing tales in marketing campaign advertisements that search to indicate how the problem has ballooned into one thing far greater than the appropriate to finish an undesirable being pregnant.
Since abortion was restricted in Texas, the state’s toddler dying fee has elevated, extra infants have died of beginning defects and maternal mortality has risen.
The gang waited for hours, carrying flashing crimson, white and blue LED bracelets as “trust women” and “freedom” flashed on massive screens between acts.
“Sometimes they forget about us because we’re a Republican state,” Rhonda Johnson, who has been residing in Houston for 19 years, mentioned. “But I’m glad she’s here.”
Reproductive rights, the economic system and LGBTQ points have been key causes for Yannick Djomatchoua in his determination to help Harris and wait within the hours-long line to see her. “It’s very personal,” he mentioned, including that he knew mates who needed to make tough selections as a result of state’s abortion restrictions.
Harris’ marketing campaign has taken on Beyoncé’s 2016 observe “Freedom” as its anthem, and the message dovetails with the vp’s emphasis on reproductive freedom. Beyoncé was joined by her mom, Tina Knowles, and her former bandmate Kelly Rowland, who all spoke about Harris’ historic candidacy and a dream of a extra united nation.
“Our voices sing a chorus of unity,” Beyoncé mentioned. “They sing a song of dignity and opportunity — are y’all ready?”
Harris was additionally joined by nation legend Willie Nelson, who sang a few of his biggest hits, together with “On the Road Again.”
“Hey, how are y’all doing?” the 91-year-old Nelson requested the gang. “Are we ready to say Madam President?”
More and more, in 14 states with strict abortion bans, ladies can not get medical care till their situation has turn into life-threatening. In some states, docs can face prison prices if they supply medical care.
Democrats warn {that a} winnowing of rights and freedoms will solely proceed if Trump is elected. Republican lawmakers in states throughout the U.S. have been rejecting Democrats’ efforts to guard or broaden entry to contraception, for instance.
“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 mentioned.
Justin Sullivan through Getty Photographs
There’s some proof to recommend that abortion rights might drive ladies to the polls because it did throughout the 2022 midterm elections. Voters in seven states, together with some conservative ones, have both protected abortion rights or defeated makes an attempt to limit them in statewide votes over the previous two years.
About 6 in 10 People suppose their state ought to typically permit an individual to acquire a authorized abortion in the event that they don’t need to be pregnant for any cause, in line with a July ballot from The Related Press-NORC Middle for Public Affairs Analysis.
Democrats additionally hope Harris’ go to will improve Rep. Colin Allred, who’s making a longshot bid to unseat Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Allred mentioned Friday that when you vote to overturn a girl’s constitutional proper, as Cruz did, then you must lose your job.
Texas encapsulates the post-Roe panorama. Its strict abortion ban prohibits physicians from performing abortions as soon as cardiac exercise is detected, which may occur as early as six weeks or earlier than.
In consequence, ladies are more and more struggling worse medical care. That’s partly as a result of docs can not intervene except a girl is going through a life-threatening situation, or to stop “substantial impairment of major bodily function.”
“Texas’ abortion bans unleashed by Donald Trump almost cost me my life and have left me with physical and emotional scars,” mentioned Ondrea Cummings, who misplaced her 16-week child and practically died from sepsis when she couldn’t get care quick sufficient.
Assist Free Journalism
Already contributed? Log in to cover these messages.
“I never thought I would have this type of personal experience. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.”
Lengthy reported from Washington.
