By Kevin L. Vaughn
Howard University News Service
With the combined efforts of social media, celebrity endorsements and large rallies, the momentum behind Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris shows no signs of stopping.
The surge of energy surrounding her historic campaign could also be felt at watch parties in the nation’s capital, such as those sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign and Network for Progress for Days 3 and 4 of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
“It was a no-brainer,” says Katie McCrystal, a board member for the Human Rights Campaign, who attended HRC’s watch party at Number Nine, an indoor-outdoor gay bar in Logan Circle. “She’s been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights since the start of her career. So, we quickly supported her once she announced that she’s running.”
Harris is known for supporting LGBTQ+ rights during her tenure as district attorney for San Francisco and has condemned Donald Trump’s plan to rescind policies that protect gender-affirming care and gay marriage.
A notable moment from Day 3 was a speech by Jon and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, parents of Hersh Goldberg Polin, a 23-year-old American hostage who was kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7.
Attendees of the watch party were moved by their call for a ceasefire and to release the hostages. They applauded Jon Polin’s statement, “In a competition of pain, there are no winners.” President Joe Biden and Harris are actively negotiating a ceasefire between Hamas and the state of Israel.
While the watch parties were a nice place to socialize, enjoy a cocktail and watch the festivities, a bigger purpose lies behind these events. Jim McBride, an event organizer at Network for Progress, hopes they will get people more in touch with politics.
“I’m trying to get people together,” McBride said during the local grassroots advocacy group’s watch party at Mission Navy Yard, a Mexican restaurant in Southeast D.C. “We want to win this election, so I’m doing what I can to get more people involved.”
With just 73 days left until Election Day, and a presidential debate just two weeks away, these supporters say they are more than ready to support Kamala Harris in November.
Kevin L. Vaughn is a reporter for HUNewsService.com.