On May 29, 2024, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited Philadelphia to launch a nationwide effort to mobilize Black voters. The event, called Black Voters for Biden-Harris, took place at Girard College and was attended by Black students, business owners, advocacy groups, and politicians. The administration has prioritized health care, attacked student loan debt, and passed a gun safety law in an effort to appeal to the community.
Biden's support among Black voters is down by double digits from his share of the votes in the last election. According to recent polling, only 74% of Black adults currently back him compared to 87% who voted for him in 2020. Experts say a high turnout from Black voters is essential to the Biden-Harris campaign.
Their visits resulted in major traffic gridlock on I-95, with residual effects lasting at least an additional 30 minutes on a regular traffic route. Biden arrived around 12:30 p.m. and left around 5 p.m., while Harris arrived around 12:30 p.m. and left around 2:30 p.m.
In his speech, Biden attacked Trump's long history of racism, from the Central Park Five to the George Floyd protests, and criticized Trump's characterization of Jan. 6 insurrectionists as “patriots” whom he plans to pardon if reelected. Biden also brought up Trump's association with neo-Nazis and referenced a recent Trump campaign video that calls for a “unified reich.”
Biden attacked Trump's history in real estate, as well as his association with neo-Nazis, referencing a recent Trump campaign video that calls for a “unified reich.” He also mentioned the Justice Department's 1973 lawsuit against Trump for racial discrimination in housing rentals. Biden added, “He’s that guy who won’t say ‘Black Lives Matter’ and invokes neo-Nazi, ‘Third Reich’ terms.”
