VP Harris focuses on reproductive rights at campaign event in metro Kalamazoo

PORTAGE, Mich. (WOOD) — Vice President Kamala Harris visited metro Kalamazoo Wednesday as both campaigns focus in on Michigan ahead of the election.

Harris arrived at the Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport Wednesday afternoon before heading to the Air Zoo in Portage. She offered remarks at a podium and then took part in a moderated discussion before a few hundred Democratic supporters.

The conversation focused on reproductive rights, a key part of her and President Joe Biden’s campaign platform. Harris said one of the formative experiences that led her to became a prosecutor was the sexual abuse of a friend when she was in high school.

“I decided that I wanted to take on a career that was about, in particular, protecting women and children from violence,” she said. “The notion that these extremists would say to a survivor of such a crime of violence and a violation of someone’s body, and to say to that survivor, ‘And you have no right or authority to decide what happens to your body next’ — that’s immoral.”

She called on people to consider the real effects of abortion bans when considering reproductive policy. She said those real effects have become apparent to many since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 .

‘VIOLENCE IS NEVER ACCEPTABLE’

Speaking publicly for the first time about the attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life , Harris condemned violence and echoed Biden’s call for unity.

“As we all know, it was a heinous, horrible and cowardly act,” Harris said. “That day, as soon as we saw what was happening, we said a prayer for (Trump’s) well-being.”

“In the aftermath of this weekend’s shooting, one of the questions we now confront is about the way we should engage with one another in this campaign,” Harris continued. “There must be unity around the idea that while our nation’s history has been scarred by political violence, violence is never acceptable. There can be no equivocation about that.”

She added that democracy requires “a strong competition of ideas” and that people should “embrace a robust discussion about what is at stake in this election,” including reproductive rights.

“The surest way to reaffirm the strength of our democracy is by engaging in a vigorous and civil exchange of ideas,” Harris said.

BATTLEGROUND MICHIGAN

Wednesday’s visit was the fourth stop in Michigan for the vice president this year as we edge closer to November’s general election.

“It’s really good to be back in Michigan,” Harris said.

Both the president and first lady Jill Biden had separate events in the state earlier this month.

Michigan will once again be a battleground state for both candidates ahead of the presidential election. The state went to Biden in the 2020 election after going to former President Donald Trump in 2016.

Trump and his new running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, will visit Grand Rapids on Saturday, their first stop following the Republican National Convention. It will also be Trump’s first rally since the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, that injured former president’s ear and killed an audience member.

People who spoke to News 8 Wednesday said they were pleased the campaigns were making West Michigan a priority. They said they want to hear about which issues matter to each campaign.

“It’s nice to get the recognition. I always believe that politics needs to be a little closer to home. It’s nice to actually have the exposure and hopefully be able to say what we need to say to these candidates so that they understand our positions,” Kalamazoo voter Jeff Hammond said.

“I think that we hear a lot of talking points and what we need are really specific answers and to get it straight from the horse’s mouth,” Portage voter Richard Madelung said.

He encouraged people to head to the polls in November.

“It’s your civic responsibility and it’s what makes this country what it is,” Madelung said.

A few protesters could be found near the Air Zoo during Harris’ visit, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. American support of Israel’s military action in Gaza has proven a political stumbling block for the Biden-Harris campaign, especially among Arab-American voters in Michigan .

“I’m glad Kamala Harris is coming here and campaigning in here Michigan, but I have a problem with Biden and Harris, the fact that they’re sending money for Israel to have bombs. And I think we could have a ceasefire in Gaza if they would stop sending bombs,” demonstrator Daniel Harris said.

— News 8’s Political Reporter Rick Albin contributed to this report.

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