Oprah-Hosted Event Rallies Celebrities, Emotional Stories in ...

Just weeks before the Nov. 5 election, Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign received a boost from a star-studded virtual event that Oprah Winfrey hosted Thursday night.

To turn out voters in crucial battleground states like Georgia, Pennsylvania and Michigan, Winfrey and Win with Black Women organized the “Unite for America” event, which drew hundreds of thousands of viewers across social media.

The event was punctuated by raw, emotional moments, including a heartbreaking account from Shanette Williams, the mother of Amber Nicole Thurman, a 28-year-old Georgia woman who died in 2022 after a hospital treatment delay caused by the state’s restrictive abortion laws. 

“You’re looking at a mother that is broken,” Williams said through tears. “The worst pain a parent can ever feel.”

Harris, visibly moved by Williams’ testimony, expressed her sorrow.

“I’m just so sad. The courage you have shown is extraordinary,” the Democratic presidential nominee noted.

Many in the audience, which included around 400 in-studio attendees and virtual participants, were brought to tears.

The spotlight then shifted to gun violence, with Marilda Griffith, the mother of 15-year-old Natalie Griffith, sharing a deeply personal story. Natalie had been shot twice in her math class just two weeks earlier at Apalachee High School in Georgia.

 “We have one job — to protect our children,” Griffith said, her voice cracking with emotion. “We have to stop it.”

Harris used these tragic stories to reaffirm her commitment to fight for national abortion rights and push for a ban on assault weapons. Her campaign has focused heavily on overturning the 2022 Supreme Court decision that struck down Roe v. Wade and addressing the rising gun violence crisis in America.

The event also showcased a powerful lineup of celebrity endorsements. Comedians Chris Rock and Ben Stiller, along with actors Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, and Bryan Cranston, voiced their support for Harris, underscoring the historic significance of her candidacy. 

“I want to bring my daughters to the White House to meet this Black woman president,” Rock said, drawing applause from the virtual audience.

Winfrey, one of Harris’ most influential backers, praised the vice president’s resilience and leadership since President Joe Biden withdrew from the race in late July. Winfrey emphasized Harris’ transformation from a candidate whose viability some people, including Biden, questioned, to a dynamic force uniting Democrats in a crucial election by saying, “Kamala has stepped into her power.”

Harris determinedly reflected on her role: “We all have those moments when it’s time to step up. This is mine.” 

Since Biden’s exit, Harris has reinvigorated the Democratic campaign, bringing new fundraising momentum and enthusiasm from diverse voter blocs across the country.

One unscripted moment caught the audience by surprise when Winfrey mentioned she didn’t know Harris was a gun owner until her debate with the twice impeached and 34 times convicted former president and Republican nominee Donald Trump. 

Harris responded candidly: “If someone breaks into my house, they’re getting shot.” She quickly laughed and added, “I probably shouldn’t have said that — my staff will handle it later.”

In addition to voter engagement, the event emphasized mobilizing volunteers for grassroots efforts like phone banking and door-knocking. Harris’ campaign manager stressed that the race remains razor-thin despite the energy.

As the event drew to a close, Winfrey called the audience to action: “We love energy, but the rah-rah moment will end. Then, we get to work.”