Kamala Harris holds first rally in Atlanta as Democratic presumptive nominee
ATLANTA - Vice President Kamala Harris made her first stop in Atlanta as the presumptive Democratic nominee for president on Tuesday.
She landed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport late in the afternoon ahead of an evening rally.
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Harris lands in Atlanta for campaign rally
Vice President Kamala Harris lands at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on July 30, 2024. She was joined by Sen. Rapheal Warnock, Rep. Nikema Williams, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Fulton County Chair Robb Pitts, and Clayton County Chair Jeff Turner.
She then visited Pascal's, a famous soul food restaurant in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood known as a meeting place for notable entertainers, politicians, and business people.
She was seen taking pictures with patrons and shaking hands.
Meanwhile, supporters carrying blue "KAMALA" signs filled the stands at Georgia State University's Convocation Center, ready to cheer on the vice president.
"I'm super excited about what is about to happen here," said Harris supporter, Megan Harris. "Totally charged up."
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Attendees cheer during a campaign event with US Vice President Kamala Harris, not pictured, in Atlanta, Georgia, US, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Harris pledged to find bipartisan agreement on the US-Mexico border at a rally in Georgia, seeking to blun
Prior to Harris taking the podium, a number of prominent Democrats in Georgia addressed the crowd of over 10,000.
Former Rep. Stacey Abrams, Mayor Andre Dickens, Rep. Nikema Williams, and Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock took turns speaking to the hyped up crowd.
Stacey Abrams speaks at Harris rally in Atlanta
In a fiery 10-minute speech, former Georgia House minority leader and twice Democratic candidate for Georgia governor, Stacey Abrams addressed more than 10,000 people at the Georgia State Convocation Center in Atlanta on July 30, 2024, ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris. Abrams told the crowd that "we are not going back."
Nikema Williams speaks at Harris rally in Atlanta
Rep. Nikema Williams, who represents Georgia's 5th congressional district, addressed more than 10,000 people at the Georgia State Convocation Center in Atlanta on July 30, 2024, ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris touting the victories of Biden administration and pointing to Harris as the obvious successor.
When Abrams hit the stage, she received a standing ovation. As the crowd chanted "Stacey, Stacey, Stacey," she redirected them by shouting "Kamala, Kamala, Kamala."
Both Warnock and Ossoff took turns taking jabs at Trump, saying he was "too scared to debate Vice President Harris," and claiming that he "tried to steal your vote. Kamala is trying to earn your vote."
Sen. Ossoff speaks at Harris rally in Atlanta
Sen. Jon Ossoff addressed more than 10,000 people at the Georgia State Convocation Center in Atlanta on July 30, 2024, ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris. Ossoff touted Georgia’s civil rights heritage, contrasting it with Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025.
Sen. Raphael Warnock speaks at Harris rally in Atlanta
Sen. Raphael Warnock addressed more than 10,000 people at the Georgia State Convocation Center in Atlanta on July 30, 2024, ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris. Warnock talked about former President Donald Trump’s recent comments about Christians needing to vote only one more time.
Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion called on her "Hotties for Harris" to sing along as she performed multiple songs ahead of Harris' speech.
"Now I know my ladies in the crowd love their bodies," the ‘Body’ rapper said onstage. "And if you want to keep loving your body, you know who to vote for."
Migos rapper Quavo, a Grammy-nominated artist and philanthropist, spoke briefly. He and Harris have notably been working together to help curb gun violence following the death of his nephew, fellow Migos rapper Takeoff.
Quavo introduced Morehouse College graduate Tyler Greene, who touted Harris’ investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities ahead of his introducing her.
Quavo, Morehouse grad introduce Harris at Atlanta rally
Migos rapper Quavo, who has been working with Harris on gun violence in the wake of the death of Takeoff, and Morehouse graduate Tyler Greene introduced Vice President Kamala Harris at the Georgia State Convocation Center in Atlanta on July 30, 2024
US Vice President Kamala Harris, right, arrives for a campaign event in Atlanta, Georgia, US, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Harris pledged to find bipartisan agreement on the US-Mexico border at a rally in Georgia, seeking to blunt a line of attack from
Vice President Kamala Harris spoke for a little over 20 minutes, focusing on her political record as a prosecutor, district attorney and the attorney general of California.
"In those roles I took on perpetrators of all kinds, predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain," she told the crowd. "So, hear me when I say, I know Donald Trump’s type."
She also toyed with the idea of debating Trump one day, pointing out that he pulled out of his previously agreed to September debate against Biden after the current president announced he would be dropping out of the race.
"Here's the funny thing about that: So, he won’t debate, but he and his running mate sure seem to have a lot to say about me," she laughed. "And, by the way, don’t you find some of their stuff to just be plain weird? Well, Donald? I do hope you'll reconsider to meet me on the debate stage, because as the saying goes, ‘If you’ve got something to say, say it to my face.'"
This was Harris’ first visit to the Peach State since President Joe Biden bowed out of the 2024 race. She has visited Georgia about a half-dozen times this year, making it her 15th visit since becoming vice president.
"I thought she was so eloquent, so presidential, and I think she is so ready to fight for us," said attendee Abby Larimer.
Harris has seen momentum in her presidential bid and appears to have energized both her base and left-leaning independents. She is hoping to keep Georgia in play for the presidential election in November.
SEE ALSO: Are Democrats gaining an edge by calling Trump and Vance 'weird'?
US Vice President Kamala Harris during a campaign event in Atlanta, Georgia, US, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Harris pledged to find bipartisan agreement on the US-Mexico border at a rally in Georgia, seeking to blunt a line of attack from her rival Do
In addition, she is hoping to sway Republicans who do not openly support former President Donald Trump. Last week, former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan threw his support behind Harris, citing Trump’s incitement of the Jan. 5 riot at the Capitol. She is hoping to win over GOP voters who supported Nikki Haley during the primary elections.
Harris is also hoping to flip the age-related narrative that was used against Biden onto Trump, who is now the oldest presidential candidate at 77.
Harris's rally comes days before an announced rally for her Republican opponents, President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance.