In a passionate speech delivered at the EMILY’s List event on the evening of 7:06 P.M. EDT, Vice President Kamala Harris underscored the critical juncture the nation faces in the fight for reproductive rights and freedoms.
“So, for almost four decades, EMILY’s List has helped elect leaders in the fight for reproductive freedom. And today, because of EMILY’s List, we have more pro-choice women governors than at any time in history. We have more pro-choice women in the United States Congress than at any time in history. And, yes, with the support of EMILY’s List, I am proud to be the first woman elected Vice President of the United States,” Harris stated, highlighting the impact of EMILY’s List over years.
The Vice President particularly recognized Amanda, a woman of courage who has been at the forefront of this movement, sharing her personal story to benefit others. Harris also thanked President Jessica Mackler for her leadership of this “powerful organization” and acknowledged the presence of various elected officials, members of Congress, and appreciating Michigan State Senator Sarah Anthony, and Senator Tammy Duckworth for their contributions.
In her speech, Harris did not shy away from directly addressing the consequences of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, a landmark ruling that had protected a woman’s right to choose for nearly half a century.
“Two weeks [years] ago last week, the United States Supreme Court decided to overturn Roe v. Wade, and that decision was leaked two — two years ago last week. Most of us remember where we were when we heard the news,” the Vice President remarked, emphasizing the gravity of the moment.
The Vice President squarely laid the blame for the current state of reproductive rights on Donald Trump, attributing the appointment of three Supreme Court Justices and the subsequent overturning of Roe v. Wade to his actions. She criticized the extreme abortion bans in more than 20 states that followed, particularly highlighting the recent legislation in Florida as an example of the extremity of these measures.
As the speech progressed, Harris shared a personal story from her high school years, which solidified her resolve to fight for the right of individuals to make decisions about their own bodies. She called the denial of such rights “immoral” and championed the fundamental freedom of choice.
“Donald Trump has told us who he is. And here’s what a second Trump term would look like: more bans, more suffering, and less freedom. But we are not going to let that happen,” Harris declared, rallying the audience into action.
The Vice President called upon the attendees and supporters of EMILY’s List to leverage their collective power in the upcoming elections to safeguard reproductive freedoms.
“This November, reproductive freedom is on the ballot,” she stated, underlining the significance of the forthcoming elections.
Closing her speech, Harris invoked a sense of optimism and determination, asserting, “Momentum is on our side. Let us not be deterred.” She highlighted how reproductive freedom, when brought to the ballot in various states, has overwhelmingly been supported by the people, reinforcing the non-partisan nature of the issue.
The event concluded on a high note, with the Vice President urging the audience to continue fighting for what they believe in, emphasizing, “And when we fight, we win.”
By the end of her speech at 7:22 P.M. EDT, Harris had not only celebrated the achievements of EMILY’s List and its vast community but also laid out a clear call to action for safeguarding reproductive rights in America.