Harris/Walz supporters were wowed by a series of celebrity and public service speakers at a Harris/Walz Canvassing Event at the Democratic Campaign headquarters in the Phoenix-Maryvale area.
The guests were Jessica Alba, Yassamin Ansari, Glenn Close, Jasmine Crockett, Kerry Washington, Michael Ealy, and Adrian Fontes.
Each one of them stressed the importance of the ground game and getting people to the polls to vote early.
All also emphasized that they, the canvassers, have the power to influence the outcome of the elections with their voter outreach efforts.
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes spoke first and told the Harris/Walz supporters that the mission of canvassing was to persuade those who can possibly cast their ballots early does so the teams can concentrate on the remaining individuals who need to be reminded to turn out on Election Day so everyone’s “Voice is heard.”
Secretary Fontes got the canvassers going by having them repeat several times “Vote early.”
Arizona Congressional District Three Nominee and former Phoenix Councilwoman/Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari spoke next and reminded everyone that every vote counts, citing recent history with President Joe Biden winning his 2020 race by a margin of about 10,000 out of millions cast; Attorney General Kris Mayes winning her race by just over 200 votes out of millions cast; and her own race for the CD Three nomination where she prevailed with a 39 vote margin out of 50,000 cast.
Ms. Ansari further explained to the canvassers about the importance of directly reaching out to voters because “That personal connection with voters makes a big difference. I can tell you the night before my last election, I’m texting with voters. I met at their doors. I’m further calling them. I mean, go above and beyond to explain to people why it’s so important and together, I know we’re going to win this thing.”
Texas House Representative Jasmine Crockett appeared after Ansari and echoed many of the same points as the first two speakers.
Saying “Elections don’t run without the people. And you are the people that are making the difference…Know that you are standing on the right side of History, And as we are literally living in life or death situations and looking for real leadership. There’s only one team that is Team USA and that team is the Harris/Walz team. And I want you to know. You are the MVPs of this team.”
“…You may have people that tell you things like their vote doesn’t count. If they tell you that, ask them to look at my first house race. I won by 90 votes. Let them know that every single vote counts. Let them know that they (The MAGA Republicans) would not be pushing voter suppression and voter subversion. If your vote didn’t count.”
Jessica Alba was the first actress to speak and started off by stating “I’ve come to you as a mother of three kids. I have a 16 year old daughter, a 13 year old daughter a 6 year old son and this election more than any means so much to me because I want my kids to live in a country that reflects our values.”
Showing her appreciation for the people who are canvassing in the 110 degree heat, Alba said “As a community member, I feel so connected to all of you. I know we are all fighting the good fight and thank you so much for getting out that these are long days. These are hot days. But it’s so important. What you guys are doing on this Sunday to be here and have so much gratitude. So, thank you. You are in my prayers… I’m humbled to be here.”
Actor Michael Ealy came on after Ms. Alba and, like her, thanked everyone for doing their part to get out the vote, offering:
“It’s amazing that you guys are out here. This is incredible…This is so inspiring, and it’s really making me feel really good about this election right now. So thank you guys for coming out…You guys are really doing the work… You are talking to people one on one and and that is the best way to try and change someone’s mind…You guys being out out here, making these phone calls knocking on doors. This means everything to us. Some of you have come up to me and said, thank you for coming. I’m saying to you right now. Thank you for doing the work that you are doing today and every day…”
Kerry Washington followed Ealy and conveyed how essential Arizona is to propel the Harris/Walz team to victory, stating:
“This state has so much power. Each of you has so much power in this moment to really save the soul of this whole country…We know it is not easy work, but it is truly God’s work. What you are doing on this Sunday is God’s work because you are reminding people how important they are…Democracy is a government by the people for the people, but we have forgotten that It’s like we expect somebody to swoop in and save us right to be the answer to all of our problems.”
“And let’s be very clear when I look at these candidates. And I know when you look at these candidates, you know, Harris and Walz are two people who are committed to the people. They are committed to doing what’s right by the American people. And on the other side, we have a bunch of guys who are committed to doing what’s right for themselves and a bunch of billionaires. They’re not committed to all of us. They’re not committed to those first three words of the Constitution We the People meaning all of the people.”
“And so, we’re here today because we believe in the power of all of the people. You remember how powerful you are in the coming hours and days and weeks, and I want you to remember to remind your neighbors, how powerful they are in the coming hours and days and weeks. Each of you has the power to transform the trajectory of this country, to make sure that we are taking care of each other.”
“So, remember when you talk to people that tomorrow is the last day to register to vote. And why this is important is because what that means is tomorrow, is the last day that you get to claim your voice in this Democracy, tomorrow is the last day that you get to say, I matter in this Democratic system. So what you want to say to your neighbors is, you don’t want to give your power away. If you don’t register to vote, you’re giving up your voice, you’re giving up your power. Do you want (the other side)to decide what you wear, what you drive, what you eat, how you work, what you get paid, what the environment looks like? What your what should happen to your kids? What books you read, what you can do with your body know, you want to be able to make those decisions for yourself and listen Reproductive Rights is on the balance, right? The economy is on the balance. Our environment is on the ballot. Education is on the ballot. Healthcare is on the ballot…We want people to understand their power to remember their power to show up.”
After the event, Ms. Washington was asked by this writer why this election was so much more important than the others she has taken part in.
She responded:
“I think this election to me is so important because in many ways, Democracy is on the ballot. I feel like voting rights, the right to vote is the right that unlocks so many of our other freedoms and when we vote, we get to protect our freedom of of speech, our freedom of choice, our freedom for healthcare, and our freedom to work. So many of our freedoms are protected because we express our right to vote. And so, there’s an attack on voting rights right now. People who tell me that their vote doesn’t matter. I say it matters. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be such an attack on voting rights and so, in this moment, I want to protect the right to vote and it’s very clear to me that on the Democratic side, they are committed to free and fair elections and on the Republican side that is not the case this year, unfortunately.”
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