Kamala Harris exited the stage, finishing her speech with a powerful call to action. “Your vote is your voice, and your voice is your power,” Harris said. “So I ask you, Michigan, are you ready to make your voices heard? Do we believe in freedom? Do we believe in opportunity? Do we believe in the promise of America, are we ready to fight for it? When we fight, we win. God bless you and god bless the United States.”

“Ours is not a fight against something, it is a fight for something, and I do believe it is is one of the highest forms of patriotism, love of our country, to fight for the ideals of our country and fight to realize the promise of America,” Harris said. ”Now is the time to get out the vote, Michigan.”

The crowd started chanting “never again,” after, VP Kamala Harris highlighted the differences between her and Donald Trump in the oval office.

Harris to the first time voters in attendance: “I see your power, and I know many of you are voting for the first time,” Harris said. “That’s why I know the future of our country is growing.”

Harris turned to the young voters saying she loves that the younger generations are “rightly impatient for change.”

Harris transitioned her speech into a warning to voters about her opponent and his opinions on women’s rights. “We all remember how we got here,” Harris said. “When Donald Trump was the president, he hand selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade and they did as he intended.”

Crowd started chanting with VP Kamala Harris: “We are not going back.”

“Healthcare should be a right and not just a privilege of those who can afford it,” Harris said.

The crowd started chanting “Kamala.” Harris responded quickly: “Say your own name! Because it’s about all of us,” Harris said. The Vice President also looked to the future of the United States, insisting that we will turn the page from Donald Trump. “We are fighting for the future and we understand the opportunity that we have before us to turn that page on the fear and divisiveness that have characterized our politics because of Donald Trump,” Harris said. “Additionally we have the opportunity to turn the page and charge a joyful way forward where we tap into ambition, and we will tap into the ambitions and the dreams of the American people.”

After thanking other campaign officials, VP Kamala Harris jumped into her speech by saying “We got business to handle. So Ann Arbor, I have a question for you,” Harris said. “Are we ready to do this? Are we ready to vote? Are we ready to win? Cause we will win!” The crowd responded with a chant of “We will win!”

Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage to an electric crowd. As Harris walked out to Freedom by Beyonce, she waved and greeted the roaring audience. Harris started her speech by praising Tim Walz, explaining why she loves him and thanking him for all the work that he is doing on the campaign trail. “Coach Walz is always bringing the joy,” Harris said. “He cares about people. He understands the people. He understands the hard work.”

Walz ended by making a sports analogy, comparing the election to the last two minutes of a football game, referring to the years he coached his local high school football team.

Tim Walz continued his speech by outlining the main point of the Harris Walz campaign, touching on abortion, gun rights, and the economy. “Gwen and I were only able to have a family because we had access to fertility treatments, and I will be damned if anyone in this country should be denied the family that they want,” Walz said.

Governor Tim Walz walked onstage and started by thanking all the officials who were in attendance and spoke. He then thanks the crowd for coming to the rally, before diving into getting out the vote. “Eight days till the election, and our team is running like everything’s on the line, because everything is on the line,” Walz said.

Student fellow with the ONE Campaign and U of M freshman, Gloria Chawla entered the stage. Chawla is voting for the first time in the 2024 election and leaned on her youth to encourage other young people to vote for Harris. “As a student and a first time voter the choice between a candidate who wants to protect freedoms and a candidate fighting to take them away could not be easier,” Chawla said. “If we do the work, we can make history on Nov 5.”

Rogers closed out her performance with “Different Kind of World” as attendees swayed along waving their flashlights in the air. Rogers also stressed the importance of voting and voting early and thanked Governor Walz, Vice President Harris and all those who put the event together.

Maggie Rogers started playing “Light On,” after giving a rousing speech about how people can bring the light, not just for themselves, but also for friends and family.

Rogers started her third song, “Don’t Forget Me.”

Maggie Rogers finished up her first song and begun playing “Back in my Body.”

After a brief intermission, Maggie Rogers entered the stage to loud cheers. “Love You for a Long Time” was first on the setlist.

Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist started his speech in a similar way to Dingell using the double meaning of “Go Blue.” Gilchrist led the crowd in chants of “When we fight, we win!” and “Stand tall, vote now.” and encouraged all those in attendance to reach out to friends and neighbors and get involved in the election.

US Representative Debbie Dingell walked out as Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” blasted over the speaker. Playing to the largely University of Michigan crowd, Dingell started and ended her speech with “Go Blue.” Dingell shouted out the college Dems and engaged the crowd through stories of beer pong with college students and praising all those who had already voted. While she was briefly interrupted by chants of “Vote” Dingell demanded the attention of the crowd with powerful messages of support and highlighting just how important Michigan and Ann Arbor are to Harris’ success. Dingell ended her speech with a joke, touching on her past speeches. “Sometimes we call me Debbie Downer,” Dingell said. “I’m not Debbie Downer tonight, I’m Debbie Determined. We will send Kamala Harris to the White House.”

Former Associate US Attorney General and Harris’ brother-in-law Tony West was next to take the stage. West began his speech by touching on his personal relationship with Harris and her history as a selfless leader. “The last few months have been a whirlwind for my family,” West said. “This is a strong, confident smart leader. A woman who is as tough as she is joyful.” He continued to the power of his sister-in-law, and the importance of fighting for important issues in this time. “You have the power to fight for the country you deserve,” West said. “It’s a hard fight, but it’s a good fight.” It’s a righteous fight.” West stayed on this theme of fighting for the rest of his speech. “For the next eight days, I’m fighting for [my eight-year-old granddaughter] and her younger sister,” West said. “Whatever and whomever it is, we all have something to fight for this election.”

As the DJ hyped up the lively crowd Beverly Miller, an Ann Arborite and grandmother to CHS student Clara Bailey packed in with other eager attendants ready to show her support for Harris. “She’s a good person who’s doing what’s right,” Miller said. “I know she’s up for all the things I’m interested in, rights for young women and fairness and equity and young families to have what they need for their children and their homes.”

Music continued to blast as standing room only fans shifted into position. Mayor Christopher Taylor arrived to handshakes and photos from supporters in attendance. “I’m incredibly excited that the Vice President and Governor are here in the city of Ann Arbor,” Taylor said. “We have a vision for hope, a vision for the future and we’re just so excited to be rolling into election day.”

The crowd slowly started to file into Burns Park as sound checks and music continued. Volunteer Gillian Sherpe welcomed students, politicians and Ann Arbor residents into the reserved section of the venue. Sherpe moved from Trinidad and Tobago four years ago, and is currently in the United States on a Green Card, so she can’t vote in the upcoming election. Still, she volunteers to make a difference and encourage others to vote. “I just want to hear what Harris plans to do to keep us together as a community, as a country,” Sherpe said.