Triad City Beat | At campaign stop in GSO, Vice President Kamala Harris speaks about support for Biden as protesters linger outside

Featured Photo: Kamala Harris delivered a speech at Dudley High School in Greensboro on July 11. (Photo by Carolyn de Berry)

Photos by Carolyn de Berry and Josh Brown

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at James B. Dudley High School in Greensboro on July 11 as part of a national tour to promote the Biden-Harris campaign and spoke out against former President Donald Trump.

It was the vice president’s 14th birthday.^th visit to North Carolina since taking office in 2021 and the sixth visit to the former North Carolina state this year. In addition to the vice president, speakers included state and local officials such as North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan and Deputy Minority Leader State Sen. Gladys Robinson.

The campaign event comes as some Democrats across the country have called on President Biden to resign after a weak performance in the June 27 debate. Vice President Harris acknowledged in her speech that the Biden-Trump debate was difficult for the campaign.

“We all knew this election would be tough, and these last few days have reminded us that running for president of the United States is never easy, and it shouldn’t be,” Harris said. “But one thing we know about President Joe Biden is that he is a fighter — he is the first to say that when you get knocked down, you get back up.”

Harris also highlighted the risks her campaign sees as a second Trump presidency, including sounding the alarm about Project 2025, a set of policy proposals from right-wing conservatives.

“So ultimately, in this election, we are faced with a question: What kind of country do we want to live in?“Harris asked.”Do we want to live in a country of freedom, compassion and the rule of law or in a country of chaos, fear and hatred?”

Before Harris arrived in Dudley, a group of protesters gathered near the school to raise awareness about the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict between Israel and Gaza. The protesters chanted slogans, held signs and interacted with Biden supporters who were heading to the event.

Some held signs calling for a ceasefire, which the Biden administration ultimately called for in May, while wearing keffiyehs and waving Palestinian flags.

In April, the U.S. government provided $17 billion in direct funding to Israel, despite the fact that more than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israeli government actions.

At the event, Vice President Harris reiterated from inside Dudley High School that another Trump presidency would pose risks to Black communities across the country. The school was the first Black high school built in Guilford County by a segregated school system in 1929.

Gov. Roy Cooper touted the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration as well as those accomplished under his tenure as governor, including the expansion of Medicaid in North Carolina in late 2023.

According to participants Selvyn and Lydia Jordan, former President Trump’s actions on January 6, 2021 during the U.S. Capitol riots should be what people should be concerned about.

“This is the most important election in our history because we are fighting for democracy,” Selvyn Jordan said. “If you want to overturn January 6th and try to overthrow the government, that is a disqualifying event.”

Despite the recent deluge of media coverage surrounding Biden’s debate and his health issues, Harris indicated at the event that she has confidence in the president and his re-election prospects.

“We will continue to fight and organize and in November we will win,” Harris said.