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Vice President Kamala Harris visits Detroit to celebrate Labor Day with union members

Harris also campaigned with Joe Biden in Pittsburgh today

DETROIT – Vice President Kamala Harris visited Detroit to celebrate Labor Day with union members.

On Monday (Sept. 2), the presidential nominee praised Detroit’s unions’ impact on worker rights.

“For generations in Detroit and across our nation, the brothers and sisters of labor have stood together to righteously demand fair pay, better benefits, and safe working conditions,” said Harris. “And let me say, every person in our nation has benefited from that work.”

Harris’ stop is her fourth trip to Michigan this year.

As the November election gets closer, the Harris and Donald Trump campaigns focus heavily on Michigan this year.

Local 4 was at Monday’s rally and has more on the message sent to Detroit workers.

Harris just left the stage where President Joe Biden made a campaign stop at a Detroit gym, declaring Motown “Joe Town,” but things have quickly changed.

“Don’t we love Labor Day,” said Harris. “We love Labor Day.”

Labor Day in Detroit is a big deal, and Harris knows that a campaign stop in Detroit is a must—Harris’ message was to thank a union member.

“We celebrate unions as they helped build America and the middle class,” Harris said. “Everywhere I go, I tell people you better thank a union member for the five-day work week. You better thank a union member for sick leave. You better thank a union member for paid leave. You better thank a union member for vacation time.”

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 02: Flanked by labor union leaders, Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to union workers during a campaign event on September 02, 2024 at Northwestern High School in Detroit, Michigan. Harris is scheduled to host another event in Pennsylvania later in the day. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (2024 Getty Images)

The event was an intimate gathering for union members inside the Northwest High School gym.

During the Detroit rally, Harris talked a lot about former President Donald Trump and the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration or what the Biden-Harris administration is doing right now to solve issues that are deeply felt in Detroit, like inflation.

“We are all in this together,” Harris said.

Detroit native Dale Moore said there was a lot of energy in the gym for Harris.

When asked about what made her come out of the house and stand in line for the campaign rally, she acknowledged the new look of America.

“This is what America looks like,” said Moore. “We’re not going back.”

President Joe Biden and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris campaign at the IBEW Local Union #5 union hall in Pittsburgh on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

We are just 64 days away from the election, and Harris said she will continue to return to Michigan to campaign, as will Trump.

The rally is Harris’ first stop on a busy Labor Day for the campaign. Later this evening, she will hold a rally with Biden in Pittsburgh.

The trump campaign has responded to Harris’ visit to Detroit.

“Her attack on American energy has made the cost of living unaffordable, and her plan to ban gas-powered cars will decimate the backbone of our economy. President Donald Trump will return us to an all of the above energy plan, protect Michigan’s auto jobs, and support American workers.”

Team Trump Michigan Communications Director Victoria Lacivita

About the Author
Brandon Carr headshot

Brandon Carr is a digital content producer for ClickOnDetroit and has been with WDIV Local 4 since November 2021. Brandon is the 2015 Solomon Kinloch Humanitarian award recipient for Community Service.

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