VP Harris in Greensboro for “Fight for Our Freedoms” College Tour

On Friday, September 14, 2023, the Vice President spoke at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, NC.

During the event, Vice President Harris focused on key issues that disproportionately impact young people across America – from reproductive freedom and gun safety to climate action, voting rights, LGBTQ+ equality, mental health, and book bans. She also highlighted how the Biden-Harris Administration has delivered for young people, outlined the work ahead to protect fundamental freedoms, urged attendees to register to vote, and took questions from students who are organizing on the frontlines of these fights.

North Carolina A&T State University is the country’s largest HBCU and has received numerous national awards since its founding in the 1890s. Friday’s high-energy campus will proudly features several of the school’s talented student groups including the North Carolina A&T Blue & Gold Marching Machine, the North Carolina A&T Golden Delight and Liquid Gold Majorette Teams, the North Carolina A&T Aggie Success Leaders, student D.J.s, and campus influencers. Governor Roy Cooper, Congresswoman Kathy Manning, Congresswoman Alma Adams, university Chancellor Harold Martin, and student government President Jasmine Amaniampong also spoke during the program.

This college tour is a continuation of Vice President Harris’s recent nonstop travel, and comes on the heels of her Summer of Action that included visits to 17 states. She has long been dedicated to energizing, engaging, and partnering with young leaders throughout the country, and has consistently led on issues that are important to young people. The Vice President has already been to 12 college campuses this year after visiting 14 schools in 2022. She also regularly meets with young leaders wherever she goes – from climate leaders in Colorado to gun safety advocates in Virginia.

Vice President Harris kicked off her national “Fight for Our Freedoms” College Tour on September 14, 2023 with a high-energy event in front of a full house of more than 1,400 students at Hampton University. After speaking with an overflow crowd that had gathered outside, the Vice President participated in a moderated conversation with actor Terrence J and discussed a range of issues that are impacting young people across the country. She also took questions directly from students who are organizing on the frontlines of these fights, highlighted how the Biden-Harris Administration has delivered for young Americans, and outlined the work ahead.

“With each generation, we must fight for our rights and our freedoms,” said Vice President Harris. “Stay active because your country and I are counting on all of you.”

Vice President Harris also urged attendees to register to vote and use their voices. “Our young leaders will be told that their vote doesn’t matter,” she said. “I know that’s not true, and so part of why I have embarked on this tour is to highlight our young leaders and to be able to do what I can to share a microphone and the stage to highlight the issues that they are leading on and the issues that concern them.”

Local journalists reported that “the energy was palpable” as the line to attend wrapped around the building, and the Hampton University Marching Force, Blue Thunder cheerleading squad, university choir, Divine Nine fraternities and sororities, and student D.J.s gave the Vice President a thundering welcome. She also energized the crowd while talking about how she is leading the fight for fundamental freedoms throughout America.

“I believe there is an intentional, full-on attack against hard-won freedoms and rights,” said Vice President Harris. “I’m talking about the freedom to make decisions about your own body and the choices you will make about your future connected with that, the freedom to vote, the freedom to be and love who you love, the freedom to be free from gun violence and the fear of that, the freedom to have opportunity.”

“Fight for Our Freedoms” is a month-long national swing to mobilize thousands of young people in the ongoing fight for fundamental freedoms and rights. She is set to visit around a dozen campuses including Hispanic-serving institutions, community colleges, apprenticeship programs, state schools, and additional HBCUs. Tune in to her conversations at WhiteHouse.gov/live.