On Thursday night, Vice President Kamala Harris participated in a star-studded virtual event hosted by Oprah Winfrey, aiming to energize voters ahead of the November 5 election. The event, titled “Unite for America,” was organized by the activist group Win with Black Women and featured emotional moments and celebrity endorsements. It drew hundreds of thousands of viewers across social media platforms, aiming to boost Harris’ campaign in key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Michigan.
One of the most poignant moments came when Shanette Williams, the mother of Amber Nicole Thurman, a 28-year-old Georgia woman who died in 2022 due to delays in medical treatment caused by the state’s restrictive abortion laws, shared her heartbreaking story. Williams told the audience, “You’re looking at a mother that is broken,” while Harris, visibly moved, responded with compassion, saying, “I’m just so sad. The courage that you all have shown is extraordinary.” The raw emotion of the moment left many in the audience in tears.
Another powerful moment came from the Griffith family, whose 15-year-old daughter, Natalie, survived being shot twice in a math class shooting just two weeks ago. Natalie’s mother, Marilda, spoke passionately about the need for change: “We have a job, that job is to protect our children. We have to stop it,” she said, echoing the growing call for gun control reforms.
Throughout the event, Harris reiterated the Democratic Party’s promise to restore national abortion rights, impacted by the 2022 Supreme Court ruling, and to push for a ban on assault weapons frequently used in mass shootings.
The virtual event was packed with celebrity appearances, including comedians Chris Rock and Ben Stiller, as well as actors Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, and Bryan Cranston, who each shared their support for Harris. Chris Rock delivered a particularly memorable line, saying, “I want to bring my daughters to the White House to meet this Black woman president.” Winfrey also commended Harris’ rapid rise after President Joe Biden stepped down from the race in late July, praising her for “stepping into her power” during a crucial moment.
Harris acknowledged the challenges she has faced but expressed confidence in her ability to lead, telling the audience, “You know we each have those moments in our lives when it’s time to step up.” Her campaign has experienced a surge in enthusiasm and fundraising since becoming the Democratic nominee.
An unguarded moment occurred when Winfrey brought up Harris being a gun owner, to which Harris candidly responded, “If somebody breaks in my house, they’re getting shot.” She quickly added, “Probably should not have said that,” drawing laughter from the audience.
Campaign advisers revealed that nearly 200,000 people registered to watch the event, with the YouTube stream alone attracting close to 100,000 viewers by the end. The event was also streamed across various social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitch.
Dozens of grassroots organizations, such as Latinas for Harris, White Dudes for Harris, and Win With Black Men, participated in virtual organizing and fundraising calls in the days leading up to the event, marking the first time all these groups came together for one campaign effort.
According to a recent Reuters poll, Harris leads former President Donald Trump 47% to 42%. Harris is also polling ahead in critical battleground states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada, and North Carolina, while Trump has stronger support in Georgia. Polling averages from FiveThirtyEight show that the two candidates are tied in Arizona.
While the event helped boost enthusiasm, Harris’ campaign chief, Jen O’Malley Dillon, warned supporters that the race remains tight, particularly in key battleground states. “It’s tied right here in Michigan. It’s tied in all the battleground states,” she said, emphasizing the importance of continued effort.
In related news, the pro-Palestinian grassroots organization Uncommitted National Movement, which holds significant sway in Michigan, announced that it would not be endorsing Harris, despite opposing Trump and discouraging support for third-party candidates.