Kamala Harris visits FIU on national college tour stop

On September 26, 2023

Just days after empowering students at Morehouse College in Atlanta Ga., U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris received a warm welcome in Miami from more than 1,000 Florida International University students eager to hear her talk about the issues facing young adults today. 

Harris’ Miami visit is part of the month-long “Fight for our Freedoms” college tour to mobilize young people in the fight for reproductive, LGBTQ, and voting rights. During the tour, students are also encouraged to exercise their voting power and encourage friends and family to do the same. 

From gun violence, gun laws, to climate action, book bans, student debt and diversity, equity and inclusion programs, no topic was left off the table on Thursday. 

Actor Anthony Ramos and rapper Fat Joe moderated the nearly one-hour conversation between Harris and students.

Students questioned the vice president about where the Biden-Harris administration stood on certain issues and sought advice on how to engage marginalized groups in their respective communities to increase voter turnout next year. 

“It’s not as simple as vote and your vote will matter,” said Harris, referencing harsher voting laws since the 2020 elections. “[You need to] understand what you’re up against … we will not let anyone silence us.”

Harris also encouraged the young leaders to walk in every room with their chin up and never take no for an answer. 

“What I also know about you as leaders in this particular moment is you are not sitting around waiting for other people to get this right,” she said. “You are prepared to lead. I’m counting on your leadership.”

Watch for a full report of Harris’ visit in next week’s edition of The Miami Times. 

This piece was republished from The Miami Times.