Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris attends a ceremony at the Christian Compassion Church in Philadelphia on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kamala Harris said Sunday. “No one can sit on the sidelines” This year’s presidential election ended 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.”

Speaking at a recreation center in the city, the Democratic vice president singled out young voters and praised them for doing well. “We are rightfully impatient about change.” and I told this to the audience “There is too much danger” in the campaign.

“We shouldn’t wake up the day after the election and regret what we might do in the next nine days.” Harris said.

Mark Ruffalo and Don Cheadle are two actors who star in Marvel’s TV series “Avengers” The films were at the rally. Harris reminded the crowd that Pennsylvania’s deadline for early voting is Tuesday, telling them: “Take care of it tomorrow if possible.”

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 crucial part of our path to victory.” Harris told reporters. “That’s why I spend time here. “But I’m pretty optimistic about the enthusiasm.”

62-year-old Kenny Payne said Harris would 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 selection is imminent. “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 the Christian Compassion Church, where he said the United States was there. “We are determined to turn a new page to hatred and separatism.”

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

“In difficult times when we are 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 trials.” Harris said.

The church’s senior pastor, W. Lonnie Herndon, introduced Harris: “voice of the future” and followed his words with a sermon about compassion and how “Strong people never bring others down; they lift them up.”

“We will go out and vote” said Harris as she listened from her front row seat. “And let me be very clear. We do not elect priests. “We’re electing a president who will deal with this divided America and 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.

“We don’t pay teachers enough” said Harris, who, if elected, would be the second Black president and the first female president. “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.

“This is beautiful. So beautiful,” he said, and wanted to see good books for 6- and 8-year-old children, the same age as his 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 will win.”

He also met with young basketball players at Alan Horowitz. “The Sixth Man” Centre. Coach, players “Student first, athlete second.” Harris told them: “Think of your brain as a muscle, and when you exercise it, it gets stronger.”

Harris has tried to focus on abortion rights in the final stretch of the campaign, including appearances alongside Beyoncé and Michelle Obama. In an interview aired Sunday on CBS News, 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.

Nationwide abortion rights were struck down two years ago by the conservative majority on the Supreme Court, which included three justices Trump nominated as president.

“My first priority is to put these protections back in place to 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 her running mate, Minnesota governor Tim Walz, are expected to visit all seven battleground states in the coming days as part of the final pre-election blitz.

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 carry out what her campaign calls her “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.

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Megerian reported from Washington.