Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and running mate Tim Walz held a rally in Phoenix, Arizona, drawing a crowd of over 15,000 people, possibly the largest turnout of the election cycle so far. The rally addressed important themes such as immigration, abortion rights, and Indigenous sovereignty, with Harris promising to honor tribal sovereignty.
During her speech, Harris was interrupted by protesters chanting in support of Gaza, to which she responded by calling for a ceasefire. The rally was seen as a strategy to put Arizona back in play, as Trump was leading polls in the state by a narrow margin prior to the event. Despite the large turnout, Harris reminded attendees that they are the underdogs and will have to work hard to win the election.
Harris highlighted the need for comprehensive immigration reform, including strong border security and a pathway to citizenship. With border apprehensions remaining high in Arizona, the state is expected to vote in November on a measure that would criminalize unlawfully crossing the border.
Abortion rights were also discussed, with Harris criticizing laws in some states that have no exceptions for rape or incest. Arizona has faced restrictions on abortion, with a high profile state supreme court ruling reinstating a near-total ban earlier this year. Harris emphasized the importance of fighting for reproductive rights in the state.
Overall, the rally aimed to energize Democratic voters in Arizona, a state that swung blue in 2020, and solidify support for Harris as the presumptive nominee. The event featured speeches from prominent Democratic leaders, including Senator Mark Kelly, Gabby Giffords, and Representative Ruben Gallego.
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