CNN —
Vice President Kamala Harris visited a church in Georgia on Sunday and urged congregants to vote early as part of her campaign’s “Soul to the Vote” effort to encourage Black voters to vote.
The push for early voting comes as Ms. Harris attempts to motivate black voters, a key part of the Democratic Party’s base. Her Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, is targeting these voters, hoping to chip away at Harris’ margin, especially among black men.
“Our country is at a crossroads, and it’s up to us as Americans and as people of faith to decide where we go from here,” Harris said at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest. Ta.
“We are faced with this question: What kind of country do we want to live in?” she said. “A land of chaos, fear, and hatred, or a land of freedom, mercy, and justice?”
Since the civil rights movement, black churches have played a key role in mobilizing black voters, and Democratic campaigns have sought to appeal to black voters, especially in early voting states like Georgia, where voting began Sunday afternoon. I’ve been trying to deliver for a long time.
Despite having an advantage over Trump among Black voters, Harris underperformed in most demographic polls when President Joe Biden won in 2020. In recent weeks, Harris’ campaign has made targeted media appearances announcing proposals aimed at black men. An attempt to strengthen her coalition. The vice president’s campaign’s “Soul to the Polls” initiative began earlier this month with a committee of Black faith leaders from around the country, including Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. , attended services at Victorious Believers Ministries. Saginaw, Michigan.
“Despite those who try to undermine people and make them feel powerless, and who try to suggest that, “Oh, nothing will happen if you vote,” we believe that people have power. I have to remind you of one thing,” Harris said. It will then be held Sunday at Divine Faith Ministries International in Jonesboro.
“Certainly, nothing happens if you don’t vote. I mean, I was reminded recently of Jimmy Carter voting,” Harris added. “It seems to me that anyone can vote.”
A Carter Center spokesperson confirmed to CNN last week that the former president, who recently turned 100 and said he wanted to live long enough to vote for Harris, had voted.
Harris did not name her Republican rival, but she did note the contrast on the “other side” when outlining the stakes of the election.
“You know, from the parable of the Good Samaritan, we learn, and we should, that life is about seeing your neighbor in the eyes of the stranger, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to see beyond this. It’s not something you look at on the sidelines.”This election has always been about blaming, belittling, and calling people names,” she said.
Legendary singer Stevie Wonder performed and members of the Jonesboro congregation joined in singing “Happy Birthday” to Harris. Harris celebrated her 60th birthday on Sunday and said performing for Wonder was a big item on her bucket list.
An earlier visit to Stonecrest on Sunday also included Opal Lee, known as the “Grandma of Juneteenth” for her decades-long campaign to make the day commemorating the abolition of slavery a federal holiday. Attended.
The vice president wore a black suit and pink blouse to highlight her mother’s work as a breast cancer researcher, in honor of the church’s Pink Day, which aims to raise breast cancer awareness.
Harris said she often attended Sunday school and sang in the choir as a child. She learned of a “loving God who asks us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to protect the rights of the poor and needy.”
“For me, as for many others, the church is a place of growth, a place of belonging, and a place of community. A place where we are reminded of the incredible power of faith and fellowship. And in moments of hardship and uncertainty, when the path is not clear, it is our faith that keeps us going,” Harris said.
President Trump appeared on Fox News Sunday morning and said his final closing message before Election Day on Nov. 5 would focus on border security, inflation and transgender athletes.
“We are now a failed state,” President Trump said. “We’re failing at the border. We’re failing at inflation and the economy. We’re failing at men participating in women’s sports, transgender activism, all of the things that are terrible for this country.” And I can’t allow that.”
But at the rally the night before, his last pitch devolved into a profane attack and a sordid story about the late golfer Arnold Palmer.
His running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, visited Kroll’s West Sports Bar in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday ahead of the Packers game.
“Go Pac, go Trump,” Vance said after taking a swig of beer.
This story has been updated with additional developments.
CNN’s Aaron Perish, Veronica Stracualsi and Kit Maher contributed to this report.
