Former US President Barack Obama, legendary rock “Boss” Bruce Springsteen and influential musician John Legend joined their voices this Monday in Philadelphia to endorse Kamala Harris and warn in regards to the “dangers” that Donald Trump poses to the values of the American working class.
More than a political occasion, The occasion had a pageant really feel. Not solely due to its protagonists, but in addition due to the passion of the general public, which nearly crammed the ten,000 seats of the Liacouras Center at Temple University, in North Philadelphia.
The vitality of the place was palpable, with the viewers waving ‘Harris-Walz’, ‘Freedom’ and ‘Vote’ indicators, all in Democratic Party blue, whereas a wave of applause made the stadium roar when Obama made his lookthe nice Democratic star.
One factor must be clear: if somebody does not respect you, if somebody does not see you as an equal citizen, entitled to the identical alternatives, the pursuit of happiness and the American dream, then you definately should not vote for them.”
Obama was addressing racist and xenophobic feedback that echoed the night time earlier than at a Trump marketing campaign occasion at New York’s Madison Square Garden, the place a comic referred to Puerto Rico as an “island of rubbish floating in the ocean.”
The public reacted with outrage when Obama remembered these phrases. And Pennsylvania, the place Philadelphia is situated, is residence to a million Latinos, of which greater than half a million are of Puerto Rican origin, so this rhetoric might value Trump votes in this remaining stretch of the marketing campaign.
“There is one thing that ought to be clear: if somebody doesn’t respect you, if somebody doesn’t see you as an equal citizen, with the appropriate to the identical alternatives, the pursuit of happiness and the American dream, then you shouldn’t vote for them,” Obama said.
The former president accused Trump of desirous to “divide” the United States and foment “hate” simply to extend his probabilities of successful and contrasted him with Harris, whom he identified as a determine who needs to “unite” the nation and who “understands the values of the working class.”
“The US is prepared for a new chapter! “The US is prepared for Kamala Harris’ Presidency!”Obama cried, with the fervent assist of the viewers, a public various in age and race, amongst which a robust core of Springsteen lovers stood out.
Springsteen’s connection to the working class
Among these in attendance was Marie Benson, 67, who confessed to having gone to greater than a hundred Springsteen live shows all through her life. “He has all the time sung for the working class, placing themselves in the sneakers of those that work exhausting and feeling their ache,” she mentioned emotionally.
On stage, together with his guitar and harmonica, Springsteen left the stadium in full silence on a number of events. It began with The Promised Landa tune in regards to the seek for the American dream and the struggle for a higher life, and closed with the ardor of I’m on Firewhich the viewers chanted in unison.
Letting the music converse for itself, Springsteen devoted solely a few phrases to the electionwarning of the dangers of a second Trump time period.
“Donald Trump aspires to be a tyrant in the United States. I perceive that folks have totally different opinions, however this election is about a group that seeks to undermine our lifestyle. “Trump doesn’t perceive this nation, its historical past or what it means to be deeply American,” he mentioned.
John Legend’s vindication
Before him, John Legend, who rocked the viewers with All of Meprovided a highly effective speech in which he urged the US to vote to defend “freedoms” for which earlier generations fought and to decide on a “higher, daring, sensible chief, who bets on pleasure” as an alternative of division, in a clear allusion to Trump.
“Trump had 4 years, and we noticed what occurred in these 4 years,” recalled Legend, who said that, through the problem that the US confronted with the pandemic, Trump confirmed that he was “unprepared”, that he was “incompetent” and “completely irresponsible”.
Sitting in the entrance row, Cate Horn, 18 years previous and who will vote for the primary time in a few days, listened excitedly. “I’m actually nervous about Harris not successful, however seeing John Legend right here offers me hope. I hope that his voice influences those that stay undecided.”mentioned.
The Democrats, backed by better funds and the assist of quite a few stars, are utilizing all their artillery to tip the stability in this remaining stretch, in which polls present Harris and Trump virtually tied in key states that can determine the election, together with Pennsylvania.
With early voting already underway throughout many of the nation — greater than 43 million Americans have solid their ballots in particular person or by mail — each vote may very well be decisive.
