PHILADELPHIA — Vice President Kamala Harris made a passionate appeal to Americans’ sense of patriotism in her final rally of the 2024 presidential campaign, urging voters to fight for the ideals of democracy as Election Day approached. The rally, held just hours before the polls opened, took place at the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art, a symbolic venue for Harris as she wrapped up her whirlwind campaign across key battleground states.
The location, famous for its association with the “Rocky” movie franchise, took on a deeper meaning for Harris. Standing before a crowd of 30,000 supporters on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, she framed the rally as a call to defend the core values of American democracy, echoing the stakes of the moment.
“We love our country. And when you love something, you fight for it,” Harris told her audience just before midnight. “I do believe it is one of the highest forms of patriotism to fight for its ideals and to fight to realize the promise of America.”
Harris, who has spent months on the campaign trail, focused much of her speech on the importance of unity and healing divisions in a country grappling with intense political polarization. The Vice President, running for president against Republican nominee Donald Trump, argued that America was “ready for a fresh start” — a future where citizens view one another not as enemies but as neighbors.
“My entire career has been driven by a singular purpose: to fight on behalf of the people,” Harris declared. “And it is my pledge to you that if you give me a chance to fight on your behalf as president, there is nothing in the world that will stand in my way.”
With the race neck-and-neck heading into Election Day, Harris drew a stark contrast between herself and Trump, who has faced widespread criticism for his refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election and his controversial comments in the aftermath. Earlier in the campaign, Harris had highlighted the dangers of Trump’s potential second term, warning that his focus would remain on grievance rather than governance.
The rally was more than just a political event—it was a cultural spectacle, with performances by major stars like Ricky Martin, Fat Joe, Oprah Winfrey, and Lady Gaga, who energized the crowd. Winfrey, who took the stage before Harris, delivered an impassioned message about the importance of voting, stressing the gravity of the upcoming election.
“We don’t get to sit this one out,” Winfrey said. “If we don’t show up tomorrow, it is entirely possible that we will not have the opportunity to ever cast a ballot again.”
Harris’ final day on the campaign trail began in Detroit, following several rallies across Michigan. She made four stops in Pennsylvania, culminating in the concert-style event in Philadelphia, where she made her closing pitch to voters.
As more than 80 million Americans had already cast their ballots by the time of the rally, the campaign’s focus shifted to mobilizing those still undecided and ensuring high turnout in critical swing states. Harris, a former U.S. senator from California, has become the face of a campaign that has emphasized optimism, unity, and a belief in the power of democracy to overcome its challenges.
With polls set to close the following day, Harris’ call to action echoed throughout the crowd, framing the election as a fight not just for the presidency but for the future of the nation itself.
