'Optimism, Hope and Love’: Everything You Need to Know About the Harris-Walz Rally in Detroit
On Wednesday in Detroit, Harris showed support for the LGBTQ+ community, who felt the love
With many LGBTQ+ supporters eagerly awaiting her arrival, Kamala Harris made an entrance fit for a presidential nominee in Detroit on Aug. 7. “I just got a text message — we’re about to see something very magical happen here soon,” 97.9 WJLB Detroit radio personality Bushman said to a crowd of Michigan voters who had been waiting for hours for the big moment.
And sure enough, from inside a densely packed aircraft hangar at Detroit Metro Airport with Beyoncé’s “Freedom” blaring over the speakers, there it was: Air Force Two and, moments later, “Momma-la” herself, the name her stepchildren affectionately call her, had arrived. As our Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who officially secured the party’s nomination for President earlier this week, and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, stepped down from the plane, they waved and smiled gleefully to a large number of invigorated Americans.
Michigan voters turned out in large numbers to see the two speak, with estimates ranging from 12,000 to 15,000 people in attendance. “It’s been a pretty interesting 24 hours for me, I’ll have to be honest,” Walz said. “And I don’t know how I can explain to you walking into that arena in Philly, or that field out in Wisconsin or right here to what I have been told is the largest rally of the campaign.”
Here’s what Pride Source heard and saw as it happened:
‘The freedom to love who you love openly’
Rally speakers, including staunch queer ally Gov. Gretcher Whitmer, addressed LGBTQ+ rights as a critical issue.
Harris reaffirmed her dedication to the LGBTQ+ community as she spoke on “hard-fought” freedoms. “Our fight is a fight for the future and it is a fight for freedom,” she said. “Across our nation we are witnessing a full-on attack on hard-fought, hard-won fundamental freedoms and rights and we will not stand for it.”
"Attacks on the freedom to vote, attacks on the freedom to be safe from gun violence, the freedom to breathe clean air and drink clean water, the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride and the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body,” she added.
In her speech, Whitmer roused attendees as she further emphasized the freedoms that would be protected under the Harris-Walz administration, including, she said, “the freedom to be who you are and love who you love.” “Kamala Harris’ vision for our future is all about freedom — can you all say ‘hell yeah’?” Whitmer said as the crowd did exactly that.
Donald Trump, plus a trending protest moment
At one point, audience members began to chant, “Lock him up.” “Hold on,” Harris responded. Here’s the thing — the courts are going to handle that. We’re going to beat him in November.”
Harris reminded attendees of Donald Trump’s intentions if he were to take office. “The man has openly vowed, if reelected, that he will be a dictator on day one,” Harris said.
“Let us be very clear. Someone who suggests we should terminate the Constitution of the United States should never again stand behind the seal of the President of the United States,” she added.
Pro-Palestinian protesters also interacted with Harris during her remarks. A small group of attendees said, “Kamala, Kamala, you can’t hide. We won’t vote for genocide.”
In her response, Harris didn’t directly speak on Israel and Palestine or the attacks on Gaza, but instead said, “I’m here because we believe in Democracy,” she said. “Everyone’s voice matters. But I am speaking now. I am speaking now.”
When protests continued even after Harris used one of her now-famous lines, she drew a comparison between protest and support for Trump. “You know what, if you want Donald Trump to win, then say that,” she said, staring at the protesters like she meant it. "Otherwise, I’m speaking.”
Of course Walz’s daughter is named Hope
When Walz made his appearance, he admitted that the last 24 hours had been exhausting for him.
“We’ve got 91 days and I keep telling people: 91 days. My god, you can do anything for 91 days,” Walz said.
Audience members quickly piped up to correct Walz — only 90 days remained. “90? Christ, I haven’t slept in 24 hours,” he added. “You know why? We’ll sleep when we’re dead.”
Walz said there were a number of issues he was going to continue to work on tirelessly. He specifically noted common sense gun regulation. “We believe strongly in Minnesota in the second amendment, just like you do, but we also believe strongly in common sense gun violence prevention law,” he said. “...we settle our political differences not through violence, but with our votes.”
Walz shared a personal story on the importance of In vitro fertilization (IVF). “This is very personal for my family,” he said. “When my wife [Gwen Walz] and I decided to have children, we went through years of fertility treatments.”
“I remember every time the phone rang I’d catch my breath, I’d feel nervousness and then it would be a crushing feeling when they told us that the treatments didn’t work," Walz added. “The agony of that, I can feel to this day. But I can also feel some joy in this. Because it wasn’t by chance when I say this, when we finally conceived and our daughter was born, we didn't hesitate at all — we named her Hope.”
A star-studded event
Last night’s Harris-Walz rally was an event star-studded with a plethora of Michigan Democratic government officials. Speakers included U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Lt. Gov. Gavin Gilchrist, and U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell and Elissa Slotkin.
When Whitmer spoke, she drew a comparison between Trump and Harris. She said Harris, who mentioned working at McDonald’s as a young person, had lived a “normal life.”
“She understands what the average person is going through because, guess what, she lived a normal life,” Whitmer said. “She was raised by a single mom who had a full-time job. She moved in with her sister to help her raise her children. She took care of her mom when she was battling cancer. And she is a proud stepmom with a beautiful blended family who call her ‘Mom-amala.’’ — and I know a lot of us identify with some of those characteristics.”
Congresswomen Haley Stevens noted a pattern of Michigan voters electing women. “I think Michigan knows a thing or two about sending women to high office,” Stevens said.
Queer support: loud and proud
Harris-Walz staffers wore shirts reading, “Harris For Everybody” — an apt slogan among the palpable outpouring of queer support on hand. One attendee, openly gay Plymouth City Commissioner Alanna Maguire, who also happens to be the wife of Attorney General Dana Nessel, complimented Walz on his support of LGBTQ+ Americans before even getting involved with politics. “I think that the story that we learned — that he was a high school teacher who sponsored this first gay-straight alliance club — really shows that he's been on the forefront of that issue quietly for years,” she told Pride Source. “It's [his] strong Midwestern values — inclusivity and love and support for everyone. I think he's a great pick.”
Openly gay Ann Arbor City Councilmember Travis Radina echoed Maguire’s instincts about Walz and his longtime allyship. “I think his record speaks for itself on LGBTQ+ issues, but outside of politics, who he is as a person has spoken to that throughout his life,” Radina said. “I think that he resonates with our community and we know when somebody has our back, and when somebody is an ally, and it's clear he is.”
Rally attendee Anthony Wagner of West Bloomfield said the energy of the Harris rally was reminiscent of the excitement that Obama generated during his initial presidential bid. “The energy at the rally was electric. I attended two rallies for Obama in 2008, and last night felt just like it did then — full of optimism, hope and love,” Wagner said. “Knowing that Kamala and Tim are fierce advocates for the queer community and seeing the transformation they’ve brought to the Democratic Party in just two weeks, helps me feel more safe and secure about our country’s future than I have in years. I cannot wait to vote in November.”
As the sun set behind Air Force Two, Harris left voters with one final question: “So, Michigan I ask you: Are you ready to make your voices heard?”
They seemed more than ready.
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