In a bid to mobilize voters ahead of the 2024 US elections, Vice President Kamala Harris gathered a star-studded lineup of Hollywood A-listers for a town hall event in battleground Michigan. The event, titled “Unite for America,” served as a platform to discuss key issues affecting American voters, including immigration, the economy, reproductive rights, and gun violence prevention.
Hosted by media mogul Oprah Winfrey, the event took on the format of a studio show reminiscent of Winfrey’s iconic talk show. The event was also livestreamed, reaching a broader audience beyond the 400 attendees gathered in person. Among the prominent figures joining the conversation were celebrities like Ben Stiller, Jennifer Lopez, Bryan Cranston, Chris Rock, Tracee Ellis Ross, Julia Roberts, and Meryl Streep.
Harris, in a post on X, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to engage with voters directly. “It is so good to be with @Oprah for a town hall to speak directly with Americans about the issues on their minds in this election,” she wrote. She underscored the stakes of the election, stating, “There is so much at stake in this election, and, ultimately, the question before us is: What kind of country do we want to live in? The beauty of a democracy, as long as we can hold on to it, is that each of us has the power to answer that question.”
Addressing the controversial issue of abortion, Harris said, “In state after state, Trump Abortion Bans have criminalized reproductive care. Must a woman be on death’s door before a doctor or a nurse can provide help?” Harris’s comments reflected the Democrats’ stance on reproductive rights, highlighting the potential impact of the Republican administration’s policies on women’s health.
During the town hall, Harris also touched upon the issue of gun violence prevention, emphasizing the need for stricter gun control measures. “I think for far too long on the issue of gun violence, some people have been pushing a really false choice to say you’re either in favour of the Second Amendment or you want to take everyone’s guns away. I’m in favour of the Second Amendment, and I’m in favour of assault weapons bans, universal background checks, red flag laws,” she said. When Winfrey questioned Harris about her own gun ownership, Harris acknowledged she owns a gun, stating, “If somebody breaks into my house, they’re getting shot. I probably should not have said that. My staff will deal with that later.”
The event saw a range of perspectives from prominent figures in Hollywood. Actor Bryan Cranston, known for his role in “Breaking Bad,” expressed his optimism and joy for the campaign, stating, “I have never felt this much joy and optimism in a campaign in a long time.” Comedian Chris Rock emphasized his support for Harris, stating, “I think she would make a great president and I’m ready to turn the page, man. All of the hate and the negativity. It’s gotta stop.” Julia Roberts highlighted the significance of the election for her children who will be voting for the first time, saying, “I couldn’t be more excited for them to have the legacy to say that their first vote they ever cast for president was for you. I have just chills saying that out loud.” Tracee Ellis Ross, addressing criticism directed at female politicians, said, “You do not need to push out a baby to help push humanity forward.” Meryl Streep, reflecting on the current political climate, stated, “The word of the day has been preventable,” adding, “all of this, the surround of hatred and venom and toxicity and encouraging some segment of Americans to hate other segments of Americans,” is preventable.
With the November 5th elections approaching, recent polls suggest a tight race between Vice President Harris and former President Donald Trump. Harris has taken a lead in several battleground states, including Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada, and North Carolina, according to polling averages from FiveThirtyEight and Reuters. Trump, however, enjoys greater support in Georgia. National polling averages put Harris ahead of Trump by an average of 49.8 per cent to 46 per cent.
Despite the tight race, the ‘Unite for America’ event highlighted the Democrats’ efforts to mobilize voters and engage them on key issues impacting their lives. The event served as a platform to showcase the star power of Hollywood and bring attention to the Democratic campaign’s vision for the future of America.
