Philadelphia is gearing up for a star-studded eve of the 2024 presidential election with Vice President Kamala Harris expected to be joined by a lineup of high-profile artists and celebrities. The event, set for this night on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, will see performances and appearances by Lady Gaga, The Roots, Jazmine Sullivan, and other notable figures as part of the Harris campaign's final 'Get Out The Vote' push. According to FOX29, Oprah Winfrey is also among those set to take the stage, with the concert and rally anticipated to attract a significant crowd and cause extensive road closures in the city.
As performers like DJ Cassidy, Fat Joe, and Freeway along with Just Blaze rev up the Philly crowd, security will be heightened, with both uniformed and undercover officers present to ensure a safe event. "It will be covered with both police officers in uniform - from local, state, and federal partners - and also have some plain clothes officers in the area as well to make sure we have a safe event and no issues," Chief Inspector John Przepiorka said in a statement obtained by 6abc. The city, used to hosting large-scale events, expects traffic disruption starting earlier today through Election Day.
The rally is not only a concert but symbolizes Harris's effort to cement Pennsylvania's position as a pivotal battleground state. Former President Trump has held 12 events here, signaling the weight of Pennsylvania's 19 electoral votes. Locals have expressed mixed feelings about the excitement and exhaustion of living in such a battleground, with Jim Leonard noting the weariness from constant campaigns, as 6abc reports.
The star power doesn't end in Philadelphia; alongside the queen city's efforts, a parallel concert and rally will take place earlier the same day in Pittsburgh. This earlier event will feature Katy Perry and Andra Day, with Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff in attendance. "These artists and public figures are trusted voices for millions of Americans," the Harris campaign noted, emphasizing the influence these celebrities can have on voter turnout, as disclosed by CBS News Philadelphia. For those looking to join the Philadelphia rally, RSVPs are being collected online with updates available through a campaign text service.
