Photo Credit: Monica Morgan Photography
Former President Barack Obama electrified Detroit on Tuesday night, delivering a powerful message to over 12,000 supporters at Huntington Place. In an unexpected twist, Obama was introduced by hometown legend Eminem, setting the tone with a burst of energy and even rapping a few lines himself, drawing roaring applause from the crowd. His speech combined humor, urgency, and inspiration, urging Detroiters to turn out early for Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign, painting the upcoming election as a critical moment to protect democracy and progress.
The rally, part of a broader effort by the Democratic Party to mobilize urban voters in key swing states, comes at a time when polls show the race tightening. With Harris running for president alongside Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice-presidential pick, Michigan’s electoral votes could once again play a decisive role.
Photo Credit: Monica Morgan Photography
Obama’s message to the Detroit crowd was clear: unity and participation are essential to preserving progress. The former president emphasized Harris’s leadership on issues such as healthcare, voting rights, and criminal justice reform, which he said are crucial for Black communities.
“All he (Donald Trump) cares about is his money and his status; he doesn’t care about you. He wants the middle class to pay the price for another huge tax cut,” Obama said.
“He doesn’t care if he costs women their reproductive rights because he figures it doesn’t make a difference in his life.”
The event also spotlighted local organizers and civic leaders, with Detroit Council President Mary Sheffield, Senator Debbie Stabenow, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer joining Obama on stage. Obama urged the audience to channel Detroit’s rich history of activism, from the civil rights movement to labor unions, into this election cycle.
Throughout his speech, Obama drew connections between the campaign’s national priorities and issues critical to Detroiters, including affordable housing, infrastructure investment, education reform, and assistance for the aging community.
The upcoming election features a renewal of the Older Americans Act (OAA). The proposed bipartisan bill aims not only to continue funding for vital programs that support aging individuals but also to introduce expanded flexibility for county aging programs.
This expansion is designed to better meet the unique needs of local communities, ensuring that services like meal delivery, transportation, and health assistance can be tailored to those they serve. Supporting this bill is crucial for enhancing the quality of life for older Americans and promoting a comprehensive approach to aging services.
DiAnna Solomon of Director Fund Development at Detroit Area Agency on Aging emphazied it’s imperative to elect not only a president, but a US Senate and congressional members that respect older adults and support seniors that want to age in place.
“That federal act has been around since the mid 60s, and it helps to fund Meals on Wheels, caregiver support programs, Medicare and Medicaid counselors, and it’s currently open enrollment right now,” Solomon said.
As attendees continued to file into Huntington Place, energy filled the air, blending excitement with a sense of shared purpose that remained steady throughout the evening. Among the crowd was Mother Desheena Miller, who was with her daughter. This rally was particularly special for them, as it marked her daughter’s very first experience at such an event. Ms. Miller felt a rush of pride, knowing she was introducing her daughter to the importance of community and civic duty.
“I’m especially excited today. This is like, my fourth rally, I believe, or maybe fifth,” Miller said.
“But today I’m being accompanied by my daughter, introducing her to this and I’m just really proud to be here because of our freedom and our right to vote, and this is the moment that I’m sharing with my beautiful daughter.”
Some of the attendees are still deciding whether to vote and for whom. Others have already set their voting priorities and are confident in their decisions, clearly defining the issues and candidates that matter most to them.
“I’m voting to keep my daughter’s rights safe. I’m voting to protect my son and my husband,” Miller said.
“I’m voting to protect my history, and I’m also voting to just protect our rights as the American people. So yeah, I’m out here. I hope everybody understand what’s at stake.”
In this high-stakes environment, Democrat Elissa Slotkin is campaigning for an open Senate seat, going head-to-head with Republican challenger Mike Rogers. Slotkin recently appeared at a previous rally alongside former President Obama, drawing on his influential presence to galvanize support and energize the electorate in a city where voter engagement is crucial for Democratic success.
Obama’s visit to Detroit is part of a broader campaign strategy targeting major cities in swing states, including Philadelphia, Milwaukee, and Atlanta. Michigan Democratic leaders say Detroit’s turnout will be essential for Harris to secure victory in November.
With less than two weeks until Election Day, the Harris campaign will continue ramping up its presence in Michigan. Early voting for the state of Michigan kicks off this Saturday. Former First Lady Michelle Obama is also scheduled to visit Michigan on Saturday.
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