If you were watching the Democratic National Convention around 10 p.m. Thursday, you may have seen a spirited group of people shaking their signs in the air.
The Democratic Party zoomed a camera into a local Atlanta watch party, where about 250 people convened to hear Vice President Kamala Harris deliver her closing speech on the final night of the party’s convention
At the Gathering Spot, a membership-based co-working space near downtown, the attendees mostly consisted of field organizers and campaign volunteers. Several members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the organization Harris pledged while attending Howard University, came out to support her in Atlanta — along with other alumni of historically Black fraternities and sororities known as the Divine Nine.
Guests cheered and waved blue and white pom-poms and sported camouflage honoring Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, as speakers in Chicago delivered their best cases to support Harris’ bid for the presidency throughout the night.
Frank Ski, a disc jockey on the radio station WVEE, or V-103, spoke to the crowd about the “vital importance” of voting in Georgia. He also hyped up the historic opportunity to support Harris, who would be the first woman and first person of Black and South Asian descent to become president.
“The most powerful person in the world has always been a woman,” he said, before thanking the women in the audience, saying “we are only here because of you.”
Credit: Tia Mitchell
Credit: Tia Mitchell
Several attendees wore white, matching conventiongoers, in honor of suffragettes who worked to gain women access to voting in the 20th century.
Pearl Moten, 64, wore head-to-toe ivory, including a hat and bedazzled sneakers. She said it’s important that “women can make decisions about their own bodies” and wants to hear Harris speak about women’s health on the campaign trail.
An Army veteran, Moten said she also wants to see a healthy economy, improved infrastructure and efforts to address global warming.
The watch party also drew some local celebrities.
Quinnes Parker, an artist and actor who starred in the 2005 film “Hitch,” lives in Atlanta and made a plea to viewers.
“We have an amazing responsibility,” he said.
He said voters need to get involved, send a text message to encourage support and volunteer.
“We need to be a part of what is going to be history,” Parker said. “Allow your voice to be heard. You could be the difference. The race is close.”
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