PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Pennsylvania Democratic leaders and notable entertainers alike stumped for Vice President Kamala Harris at a Vote Now Party in West Philly on Sunday.
Neighbors and community leaders in Overbrook came for the lineup of speakers — including the sister of Vice President Kamala Harris, “Abbott Elementary” star Sheryl Lee Ralph, actress Yvette Nicole Brown, and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey — and stayed for the free food and drinks and music at Bleu Brook Restaurant & Lounge on Lancaster Avenue.
“This is an election fundamentally about rights, about women's rights, workers rights and voting rights,” said Casey. “In order to protect those three rights, we have to win this election.”
Casey told the crowd that a win for Harris is within reach.
“We’ve got to meet the moment, Philly. We cannot afford to not meet this moment, not just to vote but to get everyone we know out to vote whether it's mail in balloting or voting on election day, we got to make sure that everyone votes.”
The event is a part of the Harris campaign’s Souls to the Polls initiative, which they hope can encourage Black voters and their families to vote. It brought out people from across the neighborhood and beyond, and was a point of pride for Bleu Brook owner Gregory Thorton.
“It's definitely a good feeling to, you know, try to educate everybody in the area that is not getting education or the knowledge that they need and also trying to encourage them to vote,” said Thorton.
Most attendees were waiting to see award-winning actress and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph, who stood alongside husband, Sen. Vincent Hughes, and told the crowd of her strong support for Harris.
“You — we — deserve more. You — we — deserve better. And there is a candidate who has been working for us since the day she graduated from Howard University,” Ralph said.
She encouraged attendees to share the message with others about voting this November.
“The choices are yours to make. The people must learn. The people must know how important they are. There is no shame in voting for one who is qualified.”
Maya Harris spoke about her sister, the vice president’s road to Election Day.
“This is the fastest presidential election in history ever. And so Kamala is trying to cover a lot of ground in a very short period of time — 23 days out from the election.”
The sister of the Vice President, Maya Harris, says people can get more involved.
“And so so many people have come up to me and they've said we voted for your sister. We're so thankful for your vote, but we need you to help go get out the vote because we know that this election is about two fundamentally different views of this country and two fundamentally different visions for this country.”
Sandra Fuller was excited to get her photo-op with Maya Harris.
“l thanked her for supporting her sister. Sometimes sisters don't support sisters," Fuller said. "I thanked her for doing it, because she's the one and we're going all the way.”
Elaine, a West Philly resident, said she got a text about the event and showed up to support Harris.
“I know more people could have shown up, but I'm thankful for the people that actually came out today to support her.”
Former President Donald Trump spoke Sunday afternoon at a rally in Prescott Valley, Arizona. Republican Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance was in Pennsylvania earlier this week. Harris is expected to visit Philadelphia Wednesday.