Impersonators to First-Time Voters: Meet some of the 75,000 who spent 12 hours queuing for Kamala Harris
An estimated 75,000 people converged on Washington, D.C., on Tuesday night for Kamala Harris’s ‘Closing Argument’ rally. A vibrant queue of diverse voices and stories that stretched over a mile offered a glimpse into the hopes and concerns shaping the most consequential election in American history.
Bill from Maryland stood out in the crowd, clutching two inflatable Trump balloons that bobbed defiantly above the sea of supporters. “When you lie, you should be kicked out of office,” he declared, his voice tinged with exasperation. “Russia is not an ally of the U.S., and he’s in contact with them all the time; then he lies about it and lies about being caught. He’s just a damn liar,” he fumed. Bill was particularly incensed about Trump’s hidden agenda and Project 2025. “When you lie about lying, you should be invalidated from running for office,” he slammed.
Amid the crowd, Tevin, a 25-year-old actor from Richmond, Virginia, was impossible to miss. Dressed impeccably as Kamala Harris, he moved through the throng with the poise and charisma of the candidate herself. Tevin has found online fame impersonating the presidential hopeful, racking up millions of views. “I’m here to entertain and be entertained,” he said, flashing a confident smile. “America needs joy; it’s so dark and bleak right now. Policy aside, we need to give love, save America, and move forward.” A lifelong Democrat, Tevin confessed he hasn’t felt this level of enthusiasm for quite some time. “Harris is overqualified, and she’s going to win,” he said confidently.
Ouida and her daughter Selah journeyed from Charlottesville, arriving at 9:30 am, their faces alight with anticipation. “It’s history in the making,” Selah said, her eyes shining. “She’s a Black woman. It’s not about tokenism, but it does mean a lot to see someone who looks like us in that position.”
Ouida, who describes herself as a “recovering Republican,” has shifted her views over the past ten years. “I desire a presidency for all people,” she explained. “Kamala knows not everyone will agree with her, but she understands she has an obligation to attend to every American’s needs.” Living through the white supremacist ‘Unite the Right’ riots in Charlottesville was a turning point. “Trump’s inexcusable conduct and inconsistencies are unforgivable — it’s indecent manipulation,” Ouida said. “I cannot for the life of me see what the appeal is. The sum of him from any angle is repulsive.” She added, “As a Black mother, representation matters, especially for my daughter. I’m constantly battling what she sees in the media, and the idea that’s amplified in the White House is terrifying.”
For Peter, 78, from Glen Spey, New York, his “whole life” had led to this moment. “The environment, healthcare, women’s rights — any progress we’ve made is up for grabs,” he lamented. “Trump has dismantled environmental protections and rolled back fundamental rights.” Political differences with his brother, a hardcore Trump supporter, are so severe they maintain a ‘do not talk about’ list. “We can’t even bring up the Ukraine war. I’m sick of the cruelty and meanness.”
“Honestly? After everything he’s done, I want revenge. I need Trump to lose,” he confessed.
Reflecting on Harris’ later entry to the race, Peter admitted, “I was skeptical at first, but I’ve been really impressed by how she jumped right in. She’s substantial, moving us forward, not looking back.”
Dressed in a pink shirt and blue overalls, Ilsebet, a 68-year-old train driver from New Jersey, woke up at 5:30 am to be here. “My mom was a feminist playwright who fought for women’s rights,” she shared proudly. “We must preserve women’s rights. What Trump is doing is hideous.” Working in a “so-called male job,” she feels a personal stake in this election. “She never wavers. I question myself all the time; she doesn’t. I love that about her,” Elizabeth said. “She makes me feel included.”
Donned in a “Hotties for Harris” jumper, Elizabeth, 35, traveled from Mercer, Pennsylvania, with her young son Nolan. “This is a crucial election for democracy,” she warned. “It could be the end if we don’t act.” A waitress and bartender, she appreciates Harris’s policies aimed at helping the working class. “Her policy on first-time home buyers, abortion and women’s healthcare, free and fair elections — all of it matters to me.”
Looking to her son, she said, “He may be too young to vote, but I wanted to show that you’re never too young to stand up for your rights.”
A group of college students from George Washington University — Savvy, Ethan, Ryan, Brianna, Erika, Lizzy, and Mike — all aged 18 and 19, felt compelled to attend. They arrived over seven hours before Harris was due to take the stage. “Saving democracy is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Ethan said. “Our classes were cancelled to allow people to come here.”
Mike was impressed by Harris’s debate performance. “Her class and how she managed to shake his hand after the debate — I thought, ‘Wow, she’s so graceful,’” he said. “I don’t think I could’ve done that!”
“She doesn’t get dragged into gutter politics.” Lizzy added, “She has dignity and wants to unite everyone. We need a message of unity, and that’s what she offers.”
They all expressed excitement about hearing Harris speak and voting for the first time. “Seeing her in person, hearing her voice — she’s iconic. I can’t wait,” Erika added.
“We want to hear a story of hope. I’ll take just an ounce of hope at this stage,” Brianna longed.
Riding a bicycle adorned with three flags — the American stars and stripes, a Harris-Walz campaign banner, and Ukraine’s blue and yellow — David, 63, was hard to miss as he cycled up and down the queue. “This is the grand finale,” he declared. He had traveled from Florida and had been here all week leading up to the rally.
“I’m tired of Donald Trump; it’s time for him to go,” David said. “He’s a bad man, and we’ve had enough of him.” Passionate about international issues, he added, “I’m here for Ukraine. I’m anti-Putin, anti-Trump. There’s serious evil in the world, and enough is enough.” He emphasized the need for unity and healing. “It’s time for our country to come together. We need to heal and repair.”
College students Trisha, Charlotte, and Allie, came from Boston and Northern Virginia, queuing for over ten hours.
“It’s not every day you get to support the (hopefully!) first woman president, especially when it’s your first time voting,” Charlotte said excitedly. “She acknowledges there are differences but looks past them to focus on the greater good.” All first-time voters, they’ve been volunteering for the campaign in between classes.
“I really appreciate her efforts on bipartisan working,” Trisha added. “I’m so tired of the division. We need a president who will work for everyone, not further divide us.”
“She’s also not an extremist, so she has that going for her too!” Allie chimed in with a laugh.
Marc, 43, drove five hours from Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, because he believes this is “the most important moment of my lifetime.” Standing in line, he explained, “I really feel like we’re teetering into fascism, and I wanted to show support and save democracy — so I thought, I gotta be there.”
The father of two values that both Harris and Biden come from working-class backgrounds similar to his own. “They’re two people who woke up in a situation similar to me; that means the world to me.”
Sachin, 40, from New York City, who will be voting for the first time since becoming an American citizen, admires Harris because she “represents breaking so many ceilings — not just her own, but class, gender, colour, LGBTQ+; it’s the new America that we are longing for.”
Clay, 72, from Nelson County, Virginia, came with a straightforward goal: “Stop Trump.” A retired economist, he’s concerned about cuts to medical care that his family depends on. “I want to hear more of her solutions in person,” he said. His wife interjected, “The best thing about her? She’s not Donald Trump.”
Among the local D.C. residents was Nicholas, 27, attending his first rally out of curiosity. He’d heard about it on the news and saw the roads closed off, and came along with his boyfriend. “It’s exciting to be part of this moment. Seeing the diversity here is really uplifting.”
Kahner, 21, from Oklahoma, and Maddison, 25, from Maine, arrived at midday, brimming with anticipation. “I’m excited to be part of it,” Kahner said. “Growing up in the southern part of the U.S., privatizing education is hurting poorer and disabled kids. Increasing public education spending is important to me — and it’s one of Harris’s policies, so I want to support her on that.”
Maddison admires Harris’s ability to “tune out the noise” and remain disciplined. “She doesn’t get dragged down by name-calling. She focuses on the task at hand and presents her vision,” she said. “When Kamala said, ‘Not all women aspire to be humble,’ it was so awesome to hear as a woman. We’re often taught to swallow our feelings and keep our heads down. She’s not doing that. I love that. I cheered at the TV when I heard it — I just thought, ‘Yes! Finally!’”
Kahner added, “We need to bring people together — not divide by left or right — we’re past that. It’s death or democracy. We need inspiration, and that’s what Kamala brings to this race.”
Shortly after 6 pm, the gates opened and the crowd surged forward. Eventually, the entire ground would be packed with more than 75,000 people eager to catch a glimpse of Kamala Harris. For many, this rally wasn’t just about supporting a candidate; it’s about the very soul of their country and the vast diversity of people determined to saving it.
