When you have a platform, use it. That’s one thing both Kamala Harris and Julia Roberts understand.
This Wednesday, the Oscar-winning actor made a bold move in support of Democratic presidential nominee Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz. Roberts attended a Cherokee County Reproductive Freedom Rally in Canton, Georgia, and got onstage to remind voters of what’s at stake in this year’s election—specifically, women’s reproductive freedom.
Roberts was joined by the state’s Democratic Party leader, Stacey Abrams, as she made her impassioned speech.
While Cherokee County leans fiercely conservative, Roberts, a Georgia native, pointed to the issues that another Donald Trump presidency could mean for women and families, especially as Georgia recently reinstated its strict ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy—a highly restrictive move that would not have been possible had Trump not pushed for the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade and appointed three justices in service of that goal.
“I believe in Georgia. I wouldn’t have come home if I didn’t believe that we can accomplish really beautiful goals that will extend beyond our state’s borders,” Roberts said. “I just hope that all the women here tonight talk to all the men that aren’t here tonight. And all you brave men who are here tonight, talk to all the other men who aren’t here tonight.”
A lifelong Democrat, Roberts previously endorsed presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. And she has been very active in supporting Harris during her presidential run; just last month, the Pretty Woman star joined a conversation hosted by Oprah Winfrey for the Harris-Walz campaign. Then, she pointed out how proud she is that her 19-year-old twins, Hazel and Phinnaeus, who are first-time voters, will get to vote in support of Harris, who could become the United States’ first female president, on November 5.
But despite her strong affiliations to Harris and the Democratic Party, Roberts explained at the rally yesterday that her parents were “activists,” and raised her to be a “conversationalist” who revels in fruitful discussion with people who think differently from her. She therefore asked those in attendance to “talk to all the people” in their lives, despite political differences, about what this election could mean for the country.
“Maybe they don’t understand things quite the way you do. Bring them into a conversation. Make sure they’re registered to vote —even in they’re not voting for the person you think they should vote for,” she said. “It is the United States of America and we’ve been lacking in the ‘united’ part for so long.”
She added, “And let’s just get it going! Enough with the fighting. Let’s get to the uniting, let’s get to the joy, let’s get to the repair, let’s get to prices dropping, rent dropping, and let’s get to the good stuff so we can start living our lives to the fullest potential that we have.”
