On the outskirts of Atlanta on a sunny day, crowds walked miles to reach a high school football stadium in Clarkston, Georgia, where Kamala Harris and other bigwigs gathered for something other than a sport.
Before prominent Democrats and others made appearances, a DJ played a variety of songs and hyped the crowd. Food vendors served barbecue and vegan cuisine from the popular restaurant Slutty Vegan.
Eventually, hundreds turned into thousands entering the stadium right outside of Atlanta on Thursday.
As the heat dissipated and the cool evening weather set in, a star-studded lineup of speakers, including U.S. congressmen from Georgia and celebrities like Tyler Perry and Spike Lee, took the stage, making the case for Harris for president in 2024. By that time, a crowd of 23,000 appeared energized to hear catchy punchlines against Donald Trump and words of endearment towards Harris, who is facing a difficult presidential race in her quest to become the first female president.
Spike Lee called the presidential election “a life and death situation.” When chanting “we fight,” the crowd responded to him, “we win!”
Another prominent figure, Bruce Springsteen, performed in the evening, playing his guitar while simultaneously singing records as the crowd swayed left and right. Springsteen, a legendary rock singer and songwriter, took jabs at Donald Trump.
“I’m here to support Kamala Harris and Tim Walz for president and vice president of the United States,” he said. “And to oppose Donald Trump and JD Vance. Now here’s why: I want a president who reveres the Constitution…Who believes in the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power.”
The 2024 Democratic nominee was introduced by former President Barack Obama, who reiterated the stakes of the election and why he believes she’s the best candidate for the job. It was their first joint campaign event where they appeared on stage together.
When Harris took the podium, she declared to take on corporate price gouging. “I have done it before and I will do it again,” Harris said. As the audience chanted, “We are not going back,” Harris responded, “We will move forward and it’s time to turn the page.”
“It is the fight for the future and the fight for freedom,” Harris said, accusing Trump and other Republicans of threatening women’s reproductive rights. “So listen, so much is on the line in this election… the stakes are even higher. Because over the last years, Donald Trump has become more confused.”
Also, Harris pointed to former Trump chief of staff John Kelly’s remarks, alleging that the former president “praised Hitler.”
“Now just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails,” Harris said.
Also, one message was shared by most of the speakers on stage: to mobilize voters and their families and friends to vote early or on Election Day.
“So Georgia, now is our time to act and together, we will win,” Harris insisted. “So Election Day is in twelve days and early voting has already started. Georgia, we need you to vote early… Your vote is your voice.”
At one point, attendees heard from U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia, who said Georgia has made history before and they will “do it again.”
“Back in 2021, Georgia literally saved the country,” Warnock said. “And in my best Georgia accent let me say ‘we are fixin’ to do it again.’ “ He added: “Hear me tonight, I know that we are in the midst of a political election…now hear the pastor tonight that this is more than an election, [it] is a moral moment in America.”
Blackdoctor.org was front and center in the press area, capturing all the action. We’ve gathered some key moments from it:
Undecided voter: ‘A lot of rhetoric’
One Georgia voter who was in attendance told BDO she is undecided on a presidential candidate to vote for because she feels they both haven’t addressed health care issues.
Catrina Reid, who didn’t mention her political party affiliation, said she works in education as a teacher.
“I’m concerned that so far what I’ve heard is a lot of rhetoric, which just kind of tug on our heartstrings. But I don’t really hear them speaking to real issues like the fact that big pharma and the health care industry financially rapes U.S. citizens every single year,” Reid opined.
The U.S. healthcare system faces significant challenges. Health care spending in the U.S. is far higher than in other high-income countries, according to a report by The Commonwealth Fund.
Plus, Americans have the lowest life expectancy at birth, the highest death rates for avoidable or treatable conditions, the highest maternal and infant mortality, and the highest suicide rates.
In 2022, the U.S. spent $4.5 trillion on health care, which is about $13,493 per person, the report noted. Despite this high spending, the U.S. is the only developed nation without universal health care.
“We’re the only developed nation without a real health care program because we are putting money over lives,” Reid said. “And I want to hear a candidate that cares about that issue.”
Tyler Perry delivers a passionate speech, slams Trump
The billionaire filmmaker and director began his speech by talking about his humble beginnings before building a high-profile career in Atlanta, including popular Black movies and television shows, and constructing a massive production site in southwest Atlanta. It is one of the largest film production facilities in the United States.
“I know what it’s like to sleep in my car wrapped in my grandmother’s quilt because I had no place to go,” Perry explained. “I know what it’s like to come from work and walk outside and realize my car has been repossessed…I remember the struggle and I also know how expensive it is to be poor.”
Perry said he would never support Donald Trump after learning of the full-page ad Trump purchased calling for the death penalty for the Central Park Five and Trump’s spreading of baseless claims about former President Barack Obama’s birthplace.
“I’ve watched him, from the Central Park Five to Project 2025,” Perry said of Trump, before formally endorsing Harris. “And what I realized is that in this Donald Trump America, there is no dream that looks like me.”
Obama and Harris’ first joint campaign appearance
The crowd roared with excitement when Obama walked across the stage to deliver a speech before introducing Harris. His discourse emphasized the importance of character and values in the upcoming election.
Obama mocked Trump’s attempts to sell products, including a Trump-branded Bible, before making a serious statement. “Just because [Trump] acts goofy,” Obama said, “doesn’t mean his presidency wouldn’t be dangerous.”
He cited former Trump chief of staff John Kelly’s remarks, stating that Trump fits “into the general definition of fascist.” Moments later Harris echoed this sentiment, calling Trump “an unserious man” and warning that the “consequences of him ever being president again are brutally serious.”
Obama also questioned why some people would think another Trump presidency would benefit Americans.
“What I can’t understand is why anyone would think that Donald Trump will shake things up in a way that is good for you,” Obama said. “Because there is absolutely no evidence that this man thinks about anybody but himself.”
Samuel L. Jackson: ‘Her favorite curse word is a favorite of mine too’
During the event, Samuel L. Jackson expressed his support for Harris’ candidacy, humorously noting that they share the same favorite curse word.
The famous Black actor didn’t actually say the expletive but hinted at it enough for the crowd to guess. “We’ve heard her favorite curse word is a favorite of mine too,” Jackson revealed. “But I ain’t gonna say mothafu – that word.”
He later posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, urging Georgia voters to support Harris in the November 5 general election.
“Georgia, we’ve been turning OUT, we’ve been turning UP, and we can’t stop NOW‼ ” Jackson said. “We’ve got 11 days to choose which way our country is gonna go from here, and I was FIRED UP to be in Georgia to proudly support @KamalaHarris as our next PRESIDENT.”
