Speculation that Beyoncé will appear Democratic National Convention What happened two months ago prevailed in the days leading up to the event.
But that frenzy didn’t happen.
On Friday, the superstar singer took to the stage to campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris in front of an enthusiastic crowd in her hometown of Houston, Texas. Rally for reproductive rights.
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“I’m not here as a celebrity, I’m not here as a politician. I’m here as a mother,” Beyoncé said. “A mother who cares deeply about the world that my children and all of our children live in, a world in which we have full control over our bodies, a world in which we are not divided.”
“Imagine our daughters growing up seeing what’s possible without ceilings or limitations,” she continued. “We have to vote, and we need you.”
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Finally, Beyoncé, who was joined on stage by her Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland, introduced Harris.
“It’s time for America to sing a new song. Our voices sing a chorus of unity. They sing a song of dignity and opportunity. You are ready to add your voices to the song of a new America. ” she said. “Ladies and Gentlemen, please give Vice President Kamala Harris, the next President of the United States, a grand Texas welcome.”
She did not perform, unlike in 2016, when she performed at Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign rally in Cleveland.
Harris’ presidential campaign unfolded as follows. Beyoncé’s 2016 song “Freedom”” was included as an anthem from her breakthrough 2016 album “Lemonade.”
Harris first used the song in July during her first public appearance as a presidential candidate at her campaign headquarters in Delaware. That same month, Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, publicly endorsed Harris as a presidential candidate.
Beyoncé gave Harris permission to use the song, a campaign official, who was granted anonymity to discuss private campaign work, confirmed to The Associated Press.
“Freedom,” which comes after “Lemonade,” samples two field recordings by John and Alan Lomax, one of folk spirituals from a Jim Crow-era southern black church, and one from 1959 and one from 1959, respectively. The work songs of black prisoners of war in 1948 are recorded. Pulitzer Prize winner Kendrick Lamar also stars.
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Harris’ rally in Houston highlighted the dangerous medical effects of the state’s strict abortion ban and placed the blame squarely on former President Donald Trump.
“We know that freedom is not a given. It is not a given. It is ours by right, and we are ready to fight for it,” Harris said. said. “We have to speak up. We have to organize. We have to mobilize. We have to energize.”
Since Texas restricted abortion, the state’s infant mortality rate has increased, with more infants dying from birth defects and maternal mortality rates rising.
Beyoncé wasn’t the only big name celebrity to attend Friday’s rally. Legendary Texas singer-songwriter Willie Nelson performed, and actress and entrepreneur Jessica Alba spoke at the beginning of the gathering.
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