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Vice President Kamala Harris urged Black churchgoers in Georgia to take their "souls to the polls" and vote in the upcoming election with the help of music legend Stevie Wonder.
On Sunday (October 20), Harris appeared at two Atlanta-area churches as part of a widespread mobilization effort led by the National Advisory Board of Black Faith Leaders to encourage early voting known as "Souls to the Polls," per the Associated Press.
During her visit to Divine Faith Ministries International in Jonesboro, Harris delivered an uplifting message of kindness to congregants in an apparent attempt to starkly contrast former President Donald Trump's rhetoric.
“There is so much at stake right now,” Harris said at the church. “Our strength is not based on who we beat down, as some would try to suggest. Our strength is based on who we lift up. And that spirit is very much at stake in these next 16 days.”
Harris' church appearances on Sunday came on her 60th birthday. Wonder led churchgoers in singing his rendition of "Happy Birthday" to the vice president. As Harris appeared to choke up, Wonder told her "Don't cry" and urged the crowd to get out and vote.
“We’re going to make the difference between yesterday and tomorrow,” the musician said.
Wonder also led the congregation in singing a verse of "Higher Ground."
“Georgia’s gonna be the state that turns it for the vice president,” Pastor Donald Battle said during Harris' appearance.
The Democratic nominee also visited New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, where churchgoers also sang "Happy Birthday."
New Birth Pastor Jamal Bryant described Harris as “an American hero, the voice of the future” and “our fearless leader.”
During his sermon, Bryant referenced Harris making history as the first woman U.S. president if elected. “It takes a real man to support a real woman,” Bryant said.
“When Black women roll up their sleeves, then society has got to change,” he added.
Harris referenced scripture and highlighted the importance of loving one's neighbor during her remarks.
“In this moment, across our nation, what we do see are some who try to deepen division among us, spread hate, sow fear and cause chaos,” Harris told the congregation. “The true measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you lift up.”
Following the church services, buses took congregants to early polling locations.
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