Harris rally stories: Personal missions, reflections and inspiration

Eugene Gykari, an engineer and avid voter, woke up Thursday and drove two hours with his wife from their home in Augusta to Savannah, spurred by a mission.

The Ghanaian-born U.S. citizen and father of two wanted to hear how Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, plans to help build America’s middle class and shore up women’s rights, the policies his family are most concerned with.

Like many of the estimated 9,000 people who stood in the rain and humidity in Savannah Thursday afternoon to see Harris in person, Gykari walked away believing that she was the right candidate to support this November to strengthen democracy in America.

“I have two kids. So, I mean, I think it’s something that I will benefit my wife, and I will benefit from it,” he said, referring to the chance of Harris winning the presidential race.

Harris’ campaign stops in Savannah, from visits to small businesses and locally owned restaurants to the big podium at Enmarket Arena, helped strengthen her reputation both within this Democratic city and the surrounding region.

The words kind, polite and smart were repeated over and over during the two-day visit.

Samantha Thompson, daughter Mason, age 11

So was the view shared by Savannah resident Samantha Thompson, who showed up at Enmarket Arena Thursday afternoon with her daughter Mason, 11. She wanted her daughter to witness history by seeing the first woman of color who heads a major party’s presidential ticket.

While she agrees with the Democratic Party’s stance on the economy, inflation, and prison reform, Thomspon said it was a personal connection to Harris, a fellow woman of color, that spurred her to attend the rally. “It’s important for young Black girls to see someone who looks like them,” she said.

Mason also reflected on the moment. “If you’re a little girl or an older person trying to make a difference, you gotta start small,” she said.

Harris had a busy afternoon before showing up in West Savannah, where thousands of Coastal Georgians braved rain and muggy weather to get through the arduous levels of security needed to enter the arena.

Beryl Dixon

Beryl Dixon arrived at the rally wearing pearls and a Stacey Abrams shirt, one she says she’s worn proudly for eight years. She sees parallels between the two politicians. “They both come from good common folk, they know how to communicate,” she said.

For Dixon, ensuring that her two granddaughters don’t grow up with fewer rights than she now enjoys is paramount. “My mother was fired for becoming pregnant. I couldn’t have my own credit card until the 1970s, and even then my husband had to sign for it. People don’t realize that,” Dixon said. Her husband joined her at the rally, sporting a “Paw Paws for Kamala” shirt.

While Dixon and others reflected on their longstanding political history, others were at the rally to craft a new understanding of their rights.

Saharaa Roberts, who is a first-time voter, found the rally to be a novel experience. She grew up in a military family and never had a place she could truly call home. Her decision to attend was also influenced by her aunt, who believed it would be valuable for Saharaa to get involved in politics.

“She was like, you know, it would be awesome if we have our first female black president, right? I was like, you’re right, I guess I can go watch history happen,” said Roberts.

Two other young voters, Kat Evans and Kaliope Cooper, attended the rally sporting bright green “Kamala Harris Brat” T-shirts, a nod to the popular meme taking the internet by storm.

Like many women across the country, women’s right to an abortion was one of their top political issues, along with environmental policies.

Renee Lewis, a 34-year-old Savannah native, said it was reproductive rights that motivated her to come to the rally. “I’m very, very serious about women’s rights, and no one will take our rights away. Whatever you choose, I’m pro-life; you choose to do what you need to do. That’s why I’m here,” she said.

Blake Simmons, also 34, brought her six-year-old daughter Sevyn to the rally. She wants her daughter to see her and others steeped in civic engagement. Both were excited at the prospect of seeing a woman who could become president.

“I’m here for the rally for her, because her life matters, her vote matters, everything that we do right now impacts her. This is her future, this is her legacy, and I just want to make sure that she has the right to do whatever she wants to do in the future.” Sevyn said she was happy to see the vice president.

While lines of people were winding their way into the Enmarket Arena, Harris stopped at Dottie’s, the restaurant on Broughton Street owned by Chris Meenan and Ericka Phillips and named for Ericka’s great-grandmother. Local Democrats and other local female small business owners spoke to Harris about the economy as well as the challenges and joys of being a boss.

Jessica Osborne, the co-owner of E. Shaver Booksellers, described the conversation with Harris as “extremely uplifting.” “She was upbeat and happy, but serious and smart,” said Osborne. “It was a breath of fresh air.”

Harris then went to The Grey, where restaurant co-owner Mashama Bailey, the first Black woman to win the James Beard Outstanding Chef award, and her team chatted with the first woman of color to head a presidential ticket in American history. [Editor’s note: Johno Morisano, Bailey’s business partner, is a donor and board member of The Current ]

By 5 p.m., Savannah was trending on X, and the vice president was already in the crowded arena, where a local D.J, called CJ the D.J, who is a Savannah State alum, was spinning soul and R&B tunes to keep the crowds excited.

Around a hundred people who were waiting to go through security outside the arena were not let in.

Ellis Hutchinson, 24; Rylie Hutchinson, 21; Dion Haythorne, 22

Recent university graduates and siblings Ellis and Rylie Hutchinson were among the large number of young voters at the rally. They said their enthusiasm about the November elections increased after President Joe Biden stepped down and Harris stepped in as the candidate.

“Before [Biden] stepped down, it was like ‘Joe you’re cool and all, but I don’t know how much longer I can defend this,’” Ellis Hutchinson said about the older politicians’ tenure.

Dion Hawthorne, 22 and friend of the Hutchinsons, said he was not entirely supportive of Harris. He echoed the sibling’s frustrations over the party’s policies on Palestine. “People look at her as a perfect candidate,” Hawthorne said. “But she’s not, no one is.”

Local Democratic politicians, including Georgia state Sen. Derrick Mallow and Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, took the podium at the arena in advance of Harris, but they kept their remarks short and sweet.

The crowd, after all, had been waiting patiently for the headliner. Wearing a white top and blazer, Harris spoke for approximately 23 minutes.

She recounted her history as a district attorney and prosecutor for any of the uninitiated in the room and emphasized the ways she’s always fought “the hard fight.”

Her speech touched on major issues that have been resonating nationally, including reproductive rights and the economy, but also gave a specific nod to expanding Medicaid in Georgia, which was received with sweeping cheers.

“The future is always worth fighting for,” Harris said amidst applause.

Felicity Champion: Post-rally reflection

Felicity Champion, a Chatham County resident, walked out of the rally beaming. She felt the night had been a triumph for Harris, especially the emphasis on freedom for all Americans. Respect for everyone’s civil rights, she said, matches her faith as a Christian and the values of the Democratic Party.

“I’m a Christian, so I don’t necessarily agree with abortion, but that’s not my right to choose for someone else. That’s not anyone else’s business.”