Beyonce made a rare political appearance, embracing Kamala Harris at a presidential campaign event and telling supporters: “We need to sing a new song.”
Unlike in 2016, when she performed at a rally for Hillary Clinton in Cleveland, she did not sing at this event, as Ms. Harris cautioned that her Republican opponent aims to further undermine women’s rights.
“I’m not here as a celebrity, and I’m not here as a politician. I’m here as a mother,” Beyonce expressed to the audience in Houston, Texas.
“A mother who is deeply concerned about the world that my children and all our children will inherit, a world where we have the autonomy to govern our bodies, a world where we remain united.”
“Picture our daughters growing up embracing limitless possibilities, with no barriers,” the singer added. “We must vote, and we need your support.”
Beyonce was accompanied on stage by her Destiny’s Child bandmate, Kelly Rowland, who introduced the Democratic candidate Ms. Harris as the “next president of the United States.”
Houston is Beyonce’s hometown, and Ms. Harris’s presidential campaign has adopted Beyonce’s song “Freedom,” from her 2016 album *Lemonade,* as its anthem, first incorporating the music in July.
Beyonce granted permission to Vice President Harris to utilize the song, which includes samples from two John and Alan Lomax recordings documenting America’s segregation history.
The rally was organized in Texas to emphasize the growing medical consequences stemming from the state’s stringent abortion ban. Abortion is prohibited in nearly all circumstances, except when the mother’s life is endangered.
However, the unclear language in the law means that problematic pregnancies do not explicitly qualify as an exception. Consequently, the state’s infant mortality rate has risen, an increasing number of babies have perished due to birth defects, and maternal mortality has surged.
Ms. Harris was joined at the event by women who faced near-fatal pregnancy complications. In some states, medical professionals risk criminal charges for providing care to women in life-threatening situations.
“For anyone watching from another state, if you believe you are shielded from Trump’s abortion bans because you reside in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New York, California, or any state that has secured reproductive rights through voters or legislators, please understand: No one is safe,” Ms. Harris cautioned.
“Because a national ban under Donald Trump would outlaw abortion in every state.”
Mr. Trump has been inconsistent in his stance on abortion and reproductive rights, though he has often stated he would veto a nationwide ban.
He was also in Texas on Friday, claiming he would set records for the number of deportations from the US if elected.
