Vice President Kamala Harris celebrated her 60th birthday with a powerful message in Georgia, encouraging Black congregants to exercise their right to vote. Harris attended church services in the Atlanta suburb of Stonecrest, where she joined the “Souls to the Polls” initiative, a nationwide campaign to increase voter turnout in the Black community.
‘Souls to the Polls’ Campaign for Early Voting
Harris’ appearance was part of a larger mobilization effort, led by the National Advisory Board of Black Faith Leaders, to encourage early voting ahead of the Nov. 5 election. The campaign, “Souls to the Polls,” draws inspiration from the Civil Rights Movement and aims to counter voter suppression efforts by encouraging Black churchgoers to vote early.
A Historic Movement
The “Souls to the Polls” concept dates back to the Civil Rights era, with figures like Rev. George Lee, a Black entrepreneur who was murdered for helping Black residents register to vote. The campaign emphasizes the importance of voting in the Black community, a message reinforced by Harris during her visit.
Kamala’s Message to the Faithful
During her address at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Harris urged the congregants to vote, echoing Martin Luther King III’s words: “A voteless people is a powerless people.” She highlighted how crucial it is for Black voters to be organized and engaged in this election, saying, “We have the power to shift the trajectory of this nation.”
A Focus on Women’s Rights
Harris also used her platform to spotlight issues affecting Georgia, particularly the state’s restrictive abortion laws. On Saturday, she rallied supporters in Detroit with singer Lizzo before turning her focus to women’s rights in Atlanta, mentioning the tragic death of a mother affected by Georgia’s abortion legislation.
A Personal Faith Journey
Harris, a Baptist, shared how her faith and life experiences shape her political vision. Influenced by the Black Church, the teachings of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and the religious traditions of her mother’s native India, Harris described faith as “a verb,” saying it must be shown through action and service.
Strong Early Voting in Georgia
The push for early voting seems to be working. In Georgia, early voting began last Tuesday, with more than 310,000 people casting their ballots on the first day—more than double the turnout in 2020. Harris’ efforts, combined with other “Souls to the Polls” initiatives, aim to maintain this momentum and ensure a high voter turnout in the upcoming election.