Kamala Harris to Speak on Immigration and Abortion at First Arizona Rally

PHOENIX – Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, made their first appearance as Democratic presidential candidates in the Valley on Friday.

In her 30-minute speech, Harris focused on the issues facing Arizona voters ahead of November’s general election. The vice president laid out a path toward immigration reform and pledged to protect abortion rights not just in Arizona but across the United States.

Harris, who was tasked by President Joe Biden with overseeing border policy, acknowledged the immigration system is broken, but he knows what it will take to fix it.

“Comprehensive reform that includes strong border security and an earned path to citizenship,” Harris said.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his campaign have attacked Harris for her handling of the border during the current administration. During the rally, Harris pointed to Trump’s role in forcing Republican lawmakers to reject a bipartisan border security bill earlier this year. Harris said she would sign the bill if elected president.

“He doesn’t have a problem or a desire to actually solve the problem,” Harris said. “He talks a lot about border security, but he doesn’t do it.”

Trump campaign accuses Harris of allowing drug cartels into US

Harris, the former California attorney general, reminded the crowd that as a law enforcement officer she took on international gangs, drug cartels and smugglers.

“I’ve sued them in case after case and I’ve won,” Harris told a crowd of more than 15,000 in Glendale, a Phoenix suburb. “So I know what I’m talking about.”

Harris on abortion rights

Reproductive rights will be a major issue on Arizona’s ballots this year. Voters will vote on Proposition 139, which, if passed, would add abortion rights to Arizona’s constitution.

In a speech highlighting the stakes of this election, Harris reminded rally attendees of Trump’s appointments of three U.S. Supreme Court justices and their influence in overturning Roe v. Wade. Arizona is one of several states that have changed their abortion laws, restricting abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, with an exception for medical emergencies later in the term. There are no exceptions for cases of rape or incest.

“When I am President of the United States, and when Congress passes the bill to restore reproductive freedoms to every woman in America, I will sign it and sign it into law,” Harris said.

Harris’ speech interrupted, vows ceasefire

Minutes into her speech, Harris’s praise of her running mate Tim Walz was interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters in the crowd. After chants of “USA!” from the crowd, the presidential candidate tried to push past the chants but decided to address the protest anyway.

“Now is the time to conclude a ceasefire and close the hostage agreement,” Harris said.

Harris continued with the rest of her speech after saying, “I respect your votes, but we’re here now to talk about this race in 2024.”

Harris on Trump

The former president was a focal point of the speech, with Harris highlighting the Republican candidates’ desire to restrict abortion rights, end the Affordable Care Act and oppose climate change initiatives.

Harris contrasted her past as a prosecutor with Trump’s dark history of corporate and criminal convictions.

The rally

The event took place at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale and the crowd was estimated at around 20,000.

Before Harris and Walz spoke, several Arizona politicians addressed the audience, including Republican Mesa Mayor John Giles, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Republican Party and U.S. Senate candidate Ruben Gallego.

A common message during the rally was that Democrats are the underdogs in this election and that there is still a lot of work to be done at the local level.

U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, speaking with his wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, spoke together and proclaimed the path to victory.

“What this is about is who works the hardest. That’s it,” Kelly said. “It’s that simple.”

The excited crowd responded with chants of “Vote, vote, vote” as speakers discussed what it would take to win in November. Signs were scattered throughout the crowd that read “Kamala” and “Coach,” a nod to Walz’s past as a high school football coach.

Arizona is one of several stops Harris and Walz have made in the past week, with stops in key states including Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. The duo will kick off another rally in Nevada on Saturday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.