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    • Obama urges Detroiters to vote: 'It's about values'
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    Obama urges Detroiters to vote: 'It's about values'

    Kathleen William Posted on

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    Crowds lined up early to get to Huntington Place to watch former President Barack Obama urge Detroiters to get out and vote for Democratic presidential candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris.

    The former president was greeted as a rock star by thousands of people after being introduced on stage by rap icon Eminem.

    “It’s great to be back in the Motor City,” Obama said. “I heard there was another rally here Friday night, but it was a little smaller.”

    It was the first of several swipes at Harris' rival, Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump. Obama said Trump only thinks about himself and blames immigrants for most of the country's problems.

    “Every election is about more than just politics, it’s about values ​​and character,” Obama said.

    Obama said progress comes through small changes over time and repeatedly urged the crowd to get out and vote. He described the different ways Michiganders can vote now, telling them they need to not only vote themselves, but also make sure their family and friends have plans to vote.

    He constantly criticized Trump. As the crowd booed Trump's name, Obama stopped them, saying it was better to vote than to boo.

    “Whether this election leaves you feeling excited or scared, hopeful or frustrated or anything in between, don’t sit back and hope for the best,” he said. “Don’t just hope, get up and vote. Vote for Kamala Harris.”

    Obama spoke for about 45 minutes in a simple convention center. A few bleachers surrounded the stage, but most people stood on the concrete floor. The only decorations were some blue curtains, a few American flags and campaign signs.

    Lions Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson opened the evening, greeting the crowd with “Whatupdoe, Detroit?”

    play

    Lions legend Calvin Johnson supports Kamala Harris at rally in Detroit

    Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson appeared at a Kamala Harris campaign rally in Detroit on behalf of Athletes for Harris.

    Johnson said he was part of a group called Athletes for Harris and criticized Trump for denigrating the city in an Oct. 13 speech at the Detroit Economic Club.

    “If anyone said anything negative about Detroit during my playing days, I made sure they felt it on Sunday,” Johnson said. “Detroit, let’s make sure Trump feels us at the ballot box on Election Day.”

    Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters and U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, who worked for Obama and is running to replace the retiring Stabenow, also addressed the crowd.

    At previous stops, Obama has specifically called on black men to become more involved in the electoral process.

    Black men who attended the rally said they planned to vote for Harris, although some were reluctant to express their support.

    “Generally I'm excited, but I wouldn't say I'm getting her name tattooed on my arm,” said Matt Bell, 53, of Detroit.

    Bell is a flight attendant who attended the rally with his fiancée. He said his schedule allowed for the rally and he was eager to hear from Obama. He once tried to meet the former president in Chicago, but was late and never got in.

    More: Report: Eminem appears with Barack Obama at Detroit rally for Harris campaign

    More: Watch the replay: Former President Barack Obama demonstrates in Detroit for Kamala Harris

    He said he would definitely vote for Harris and hopes to learn more about tax credits for first-time home buyers. He believes Harris will win. He said he doesn't see a lack of enthusiasm in his circles, but he understands it's out there.

    “I think it’s more the state of things,” he said.

    Durand Eubanks, 50, of Southfield, is an ironworker with IBEW Local 25. He said he is looking forward to voting for Harris and plans to do so in person on Election Day because he likes tabulating his ballot himself and making sure that he it is counted.

    “I'm excited to vote, but I think all the misinformation that's been out is confusing a lot of people,” he said. “They just feel like reaching out. The system has done nothing for them, so they are wasting their time. That’s not the way to see it, but that’s how some people see it.”

    Levell Baldridge, 64, of Detroit, has sold Fords for nearly 40 years and is pastor of New Birth Church of God in Christ in the East.

    He attended the rally to hear Obama speak and to support Harris. He strongly rejects the idea that people can sit out the process and urges men to do their part and vote.

    “People say I don’t vote because I don’t like who’s up there. It means you like what’s going on,” he said. “And it’s sad that a lot of the things that happen in America shouldn’t happen because we’re the land of opportunity.”

    Baldridge said he owes it to his children and his country to vote.

    “The concern is that we need to leave a legacy for the next generation,” he said. “If the family is to be whole, the man must take part in such situations, right? It starts with the man.”(This story has been updated to add new information.)

    Contact John Wisely: [email protected]. On X @jwisely.

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    Kathleen William
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