Harris and Walz Rally Massive Arizona Crowd, Vow Bold Moves on Immigration and Abortion

A massive crowd gathered Friday evening at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale to support Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The rally drew over 15,000 attendees dancing to popular hip-hop and rap songs while holding signs in favor of the Democratic nominees.

Arizona’s leading Democrats, including U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, Congressman Ruben Gallego, and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, were present to endorse the top of their ticket. The energy in the arena was palpable as Harris discussed the key points of her campaign.

Addressing the crowd, Harris emphasized the need to make life more affordable for the middle class and ensure future homeownership for young people. She also highlighted the stark differences between her plans and those of her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, stating, “We are witnessing a full-on assault against our hard-fought freedoms and rights.”

Harris focused on issues critical to Arizonans, such as climate change, immigration, and reproductive freedom. She shared her experience as a former attorney general, tackling transnational gangs and traffickers. She assured the crowd that border security and an earned pathway to citizenship were essential solutions to the country’s broken immigration system.

The vice president also blamed Trump for the fall of Roe v. Wade, noting that his appointees to the U.S. Supreme Court led to the loss of constitutional rights to abortion. She affirmed her commitment to restore reproductive freedom through legislative action if elected. “When I am president of the United States, and Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom for every woman in America, I will sign it into law,” Harris declared.

Tensions briefly rose when protesters advocating for a ceasefire in Palestine interrupted Harris. She acknowledged their concerns and pledged her efforts toward achieving a ceasefire, alongside President Joe Biden. Both Harris and Walz aimed to bolster their everyman appeal, contrasting themselves with billionaire Trump.

Governor Walz spoke of his humble origins and highlighted the importance of personal freedoms, including making one’s own health care decisions and ensuring children’s safety in schools. “When we talk about freedom, we mean the freedom to make your own healthcare decisions, and for your children to go to school without worrying they will be shot dead,” Walz said.

He reminded the enthusiastic crowd that they had only 87 days left to persuade voters. Meanwhile, Republicans criticized Harris and Walz’s stance on border security. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley said in a statement that Arizona is bearing the brunt of Harris’ “open border policies.” He urged voters to reject what he called their “radical open border agenda” and elect Trump in November.