Speculation that Beyoncé would make an appearance at the Democratic National Convention two months ago, spread during the days leading up to the event.
But the frenzy did not take place.
In front of a cheering crowd in her hometown of Houston, Texas, on Friday, the superstar singer appeared on stage to campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign. rally on reproductive rights.
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“I’m not here as a celebrity, I’m not here as a politician. I’m here as a mother,” Beyoncé said. “A mother who cares deeply about the world my children and all our children live in, a world where we have the freedom to control our bodies, a world where we are not divided.”
“Imagine our girls growing up seeing what is possible with no ceiling, no limits,” she continued. “We need to vote and we need you.”
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At the end, Beyoncé – who was joined on stage by her Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland – introduced Harris.
“It’s time for America to sing a new song. Our voices sing a chorus of unity. They sing a song of dignity and opportunity. Are you all ready to add your voices to America’s new song?” she said. “Ladies and gentlemen, please extend a big, loud Texas welcome to the next President of the United States, Vice President Kamala Harris.”
She did not perform – unlike in 2016, when she performed at a presidential campaign rally for Hilary Clinton in Cleveland.
Harris’ presidential campaign took Beyoncé’s 2016 track “Freedom“, an excerpt from his 2016 breakthrough album “Lemonade”, as an anthem.
Harris first used the song in July during her first official public appearance as a presidential candidate at her campaign headquarters in Delaware. The same month, Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, publicly supported Harris for president.
Beyoncé gave Harris permission to use the song, a campaign official who was granted anonymity to discuss private campaign operations confirmed to The Associated Press.
Arriving in the second half of “Lemonade,” “Freedom” samples two recordings by John and Alan Lomax, which document Jim Crow-era folk spirituals of southern black churches and black prison work songs of 1959 and 1948 , respectively. It also features Pulitzer Prize winner Kendrick Lamar.
Bloomberg
Harris’ rally in Houston highlighted the perilous medical consequences of the state’s strict abortion ban and placed the blame squarely on former President Donald Trump.
“We know that freedom should not be given away. It should not be granted. It is rightfully ours and we are prepared to fight for it,” Harris said. “We have to be loud. We have to organize. We have to mobilize. We have to energize.”
Since abortion was restricted in Texas, the state’s infant mortality rate has increased, more babies have died from birth defects, and maternal mortality has increased.
Beyoncé wasn’t the only big celebrity at Friday’s rally. Legendary singer-songwriter and Texas native Willie Nelson performed and actress and entrepreneur Jessica Alba spoke earlier at the gathering.
