Voters across Texas queued outside the Shell Energy Stadium before sunrise, anticipating Vice President Kamala Harris’ Houston rally on Friday evening. Around 30,000 hopeful attendees lined the streets for hours to see the Democratic presidential candidate, along with several special guests.
Celebrity appearances included Jessica Alba, Tina Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Beyoncé. U.S. Senate candidate Colin Allred also took the stage, along with Houston DJ Tryfe, who entertained the crowd during breaks. The legendary Willie Nelson performed hits like “On The Road Again” and “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” as the musical guest for the night.
While many fans hoped for a performance from Houston native Beyoncé, she used her voice to endorse Harris and spoke on reproductive rights. “I’m not here as a celebrity, I’m not here as a politician, I’m here as a mother,” said the 43-year-old. “I’m a mother who cares about the world our children live in—a world where we have the freedom to control our bodies.”
Kelly Rowland also passionately urged voters to take action. “We are grabbing back the pen to write a new American story—a story of community, equality, strength, kindness, and hope,” she said. “We are grabbing back the pen from those trying to deny women the rights to make decisions about our bodies.”
The rally emphasized the detrimental abortion ban in Texas, enacted after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Attendees heard from parents and practicing physicians about the negative impacts of the ban.
“These laws are designed to handcuff me, literally,” said Dr. Todd Ivey, a Houston-based OB/GYN. “As a physician, I can’t describe the anguish of not being able to help my patients and the fear of spending the rest of my life behind bars.” He declared his support for Harris, stating, “There is no place for Donald Trump in my exam room.”
The evening began with a poignant ad from the family of the late Amber Nicole Thurman, highlighting her tragic passing. “I promised Amber Nicole Thurman’s mother that I would speak her name,” Harris said, referring to the 28-year-old mother who died due to Georgia’s abortion ban. “She was loved, and she should be alive today.”
Before concluding, Harris addressed the over eight million young Americans expected to vote for the first time this year, contributing to 41 million total Gen-Z voters in the 2024 presidential election. “The thing I love about [Zillenials] is that you’re impatient for change,” she said. “Gen-Z, I’m counting on you.”
Harris cautioned that they might face fewer rights than their mothers or grandmothers but emphasized that this can change with their votes. “I see you and I see your power,” she said.