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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 27: Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris greets supporters at Freddy & Tony’s Restaurant, a local Puerto Rican restaurant, on October 27, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA – Kamala Harris, nine days before the election “No one can sit on the sidelines” in this year’s presidential election, he said Sunday, ending a day of campaigning in the largest city of the critical battleground state of Pennsylvania.

“We are focused on the future and focused on the needs of the American people,” Harris said, “unlike Donald Trump, who spends all his time looking in the mirror and focusing on himself.”

The main goal of Sunday’s all-day campaign visit to Philadelphia was to encourage believers to vote.

Harris’ stops included the Christian Compassion Church, Philly Cuts Barbershop, Freddy and Tony’s and the Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man” Center.

Speaking at a city recreation center, the Democratic vice president singled out young voters, praising them for being “rightly impatient for change” and telling the audience that “too much is at stake” in the campaign.

“We shouldn’t wake up the day after the election and have regrets about what we can do in the next nine days,” Harris said.

Mark Ruffalo and Don Cheadle, two actors who starred in Marvel’s “Avengers” movies, were also at the rally. Harris reminded the crowd that Pennsylvania’s deadline for early voting is Tuesday, telling them to “get it done tomorrow if you can.”

Mobilizing voters in Philadelphia, a traditional Democratic stronghold, is crucial to Harris’ chances of beating Republican candidate Donald Trump. If turnout falls short here, Trump will have a hard time overcoming his advantages in rural Pennsylvania.

“Philadelphia is a very important part of our path to victory,” Harris told reporters. “That’s why I’m spending time here. But I’m pretty optimistic about the enthusiasm.”

Kenny Payne, 62, said Harris will win and “it won’t be close.” The Democratic voter said he played golf with a group of Republicans who said they would never vote for Trump again.

“I think we’ll all be in bed by midnight,” he said outside the recreation center where Harris was speaking.

Patrick Boe, 46, said he was confident about the city’s interest in Harris, but acknowledged his view might be skewed.

“I’m in a bubble here,” Boe said.

Youth basketball coach Randyll Butler, who introduced Harris, said the draft is in the “fourth quarter.”

“We can’t be tired,” he said. “We can’t be bothered.”

The Democratic coalition relies on voters of color, and Harris’ travel schedule on Sunday reflects that focus. He started the day with the Black congregation at Christian Mercy Church, where he said the United States is “committed to turning a new page against hatred and division.”

Harris drew on the story of the Apostle Paul, who overcame adversity to spread the word of Jesus.

“In difficult times when we become weary of doing good, we must remember the power at work within us, the divine power that changed Paul’s life, guided him through shipwreck, and sustained him through difficulties,” Harris said.

W. Lonnie Herndon, the church’s senior pastor, introduced Harris as a “voice of the future” and followed her words with compassion and a sermon about how “strong people never bring others down, but rather they lift them up.”

“We’re going to go out and vote,” Harris said as she listened from her front row seat. “And let me be clear. We are not electing a priest. We are electing a president who will deal with this divided America, who will bring us back together.”

His next stop was Philly Cuts, a barbershop in West Philadelphia. Pennsylvania State Representative Jordan Harris moderated a conversation with Harris and Black men about improving racial representation in education. A poster of the first black president, Barack Obama, hung on the wall.

Harris, who will be the second black president and the first female president if elected, said, “We don’t pay teachers enough.” “Student loan debt is a problem.”

Outside the store, people were standing on porches and lining the sidewalks hoping to catch a glimpse of Harris. “White House MVP!” someone shouted.

Harris visited nearby Hakim’s Bookstore, which specializes in African-American history.

“It’s beautiful. It’s so beautiful,” she said, and wanted to see good books for 6- and 8-year-olds, the same age as her nieces.

Harris joked with Ann Hughes, the mother of Pennsylvania state Sen. Vincent Hughes, about her weight.

“They work me to the core,” he said.

After leaving the bookstore, Harris went to a Puerto Rican restaurant called Freddy and Tony’s, where he thanked the volunteers and told them “we’re going to win.”

He also met with young basketball players at the Alan Horowitz “Sixth Man” Center. The coach said the players were “students first, athletes second.” “Think of your brain as a muscle, and when you exercise it, it gets stronger,” Harris told them.

Mayor Cherelle Parker also spoke at the Harris rally in Philly on Sunday.

“We have to make sure he is the 47th president of the United States, but Philly you have to show up too!” said Mayor Parker.

In the final stretch of the campaign, Harris sought to maintain a focus on abortion rights. Beyonce And Michelle Obama. In an interview with CBS News In the news release Sunday, Harris declined to say whether she would support any restrictions on abortion, citing Roe v. He emphasized that the Wade trial should be restarted.

“It’s that simple,” Harris said.

Abortion rights nationwide were struck down two years ago by the conservative majority on the Supreme Court, which included three justices appointed by the Supreme Court. Embers while president.

“My first priority is to reinstate these protections, stop this suffering, and stop this injustice happening in our country,” Harris said.

He also rejected Trump’s claim that he would not sign a national abortion ban if elected. “It says it all, come on,” Harris said. “Do we really trust his word?”

Harris and Tim WalzHis running mate, the Minnesota governor, is expected to visit all seven battleground states in the coming days as part of the final pre-election blitz.

On Monday, some heavy hitters are heading to town to support Vice President Harris.

Bruce Springsteen will headline a “get out the vote” rally and former President Barack Obama will declare “when we vote, we win!” will give the message.

While Harris was in Philadelphia on Sunday, Walz was campaigning in Las Vegas. On Monday, Walz will visit Manitowoc and Waukesha, Wisconsin, before joining Harris for a rally in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where singer Maggie Rogers will perform.

Harris will be in the nation’s capital on Tuesday to fulfill her campaign’s appeal his “closing argument” in a speech from the Ellipse, a grassy area near the White House. This is the same place where Trump spoke on January 6, 2021, when he urged his Republican supporters to march on the Capitol.

More campaign stops are planned in Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.