Vice President Kamala Harris visits Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Vice President Kamala Harris' visit to Milwaukee on Sept. 22 allowed an opportunity for her to discuss pressing issues facing the country as well as strengthen bonds with the Latino community.
The trip was the Vice President's third visit to Milwaukee since taking office. It also highlighted the importance of Wisconsin in the political landscape of the upcoming midterm elections. President Joe Biden visited Milwaukee on Labor Day and Harris' visit came just 46 days before Election Day.
Harris' first stop was at the Democratic Attorneys General Association Conference at the Pfister Hotel where she delivered remarks.
During her speech, the Vice President discussed ongoing legal battles happening across several states over issues like consumer protection, voting access and abortion.
"At this moment in our nation some of our most fundamental rights are under assault," Harris said.
Harris highlighted the current legal battle in Wisconsin, as State Attorney General Josh Kaul is challenging the legality of an 1849 law that bans abortions with the only exception being to save the life of the mother.
"You all are filing legal challenges to state abortion bans, like here in Wisconsin," Harris told the audience. "Josh [Kaul], our administration has your back."
The VP's second stop was at UW-Milwaukee where she met with students at a political science class and local Latino leaders.
"It's a privilege to welcome you," Milwaukee Common Council President José Pérez told the Vice President. "Bienvenidos, fuerte abrazo," Pérez added, meaning "welcome" and "I share with you a warm hug".
Other groups present included representatives from Voces de la Frontera, UWM and Forward Latino, among others.
People who were part of the meeting said they discussed local issues as well as the ongoing crises in Puerto Rico and the U.S.-Mexico border.
"I think a lot of people are viewing this as a campaign stop but a lot of the organizations that were here today have actually had ongoing discussions with the administrations for quite some time," Forward Latino President Darryl Morin told reporters afterwards.
Morin added the Vice President's face-to-face meeting with Latino leaders meant a great deal.
"I think it was not only informative but really moving for everybody who participated," Morin said.