All Eyes on VP Harris… …as she makes her case brilliantly!

VIDA’s Harris vs Trump Debate-Watch Roused Crowd to Action to Focus on P2024 (Over 2025) for The Win

By Jeffery Kazembe Batts
and Bernice Elizabeth Green
On Tuesday night I arrived at the 1st floor Community Room in the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration at about 8:15pm to find the space almost filled. The community had been urged to register in advance because of the expected large turnout. Approximately one hundred members of Central Brooklyn’s historic VIDA political club and supporters were in the building to witness the much-anticipated debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

At the back of the room were refreshments. Boxes of pizza, bowls of fruit, an assortment of beverages. Soon all attention would turn to the front of the room where Vanguard Independent Democratic Association and District leader Henry Butler facilitated the gathering. Before starting the debate viewing Henry gave an overview of events to come. His talk included key points on the importance of the night’s debate plus a range of upcoming, progressive VIDA activities, fundraisers and meetings on the VIDA calendar.

Those gatherings include the Sept 19th’s Harris-for-President Fundraiser at Magnolia Tree Earth Center (677 Lafayette Avenue). Sponsored by The Honorable Ed Towns, Magnolia Board chair Wayne Devonish and Democratic Delegate Butlers. this Saturday’s (September 21) discussion of budget updates and an important in-person strategy session this coming Saturday (21) focused on securing Kamala/Walz journey to Election Day.

With minutes to go on the countdown to the debate, Butler craftily weaved a point the Brooklyn community should not miss. He asked, “Have you heard of “Project 2024?”
Not to be confused with the authoritarian, backward, conservative “Project 2025” – which Trump claims he has nothing to do with, Butler’s Project 2024 is a call for attendees to get involved in doing something “NOW!” He saw last night’s full-room gathering – where the community exchanged opinions, as a step in that direction.

The Honorable Annette Robinson, in an emotional call, urged VIDA’s guests to be more engaged in the political process. Remember the purpose for this work, she reminded attendees – the future of our community. “Involve the children and young people” in these efforts, meetings and rallies so that they will be prepared.

VIDA’s commitment to voting as a voice is year-round. It can also be personal, noted Butler during his remarks, citing a personal experience related to real estate shared by many in the community. He reminded everyone to attend the VIDA General Counsel Committee’s Tuesday, September 24 (6:30-8:00 pm) Estate Planning Discussion to be held at Restoration. Featuring guest speaker Audra Barrow Esq of the Barrow Law Group, the workshop offers the ABC’s creating an estate plan regardless of socio-economic status. (RSVP Link: bit.ly/estateplanning24.

Also announced, VIDA will lead its troop into the battleground state of Pennsylvania from Bedford-Stuy Restoration, September 28th, in support of a Harris/Walz victory. After their brief presentations all attention turned to the large screen at the front of the room.
Debate time had arrived, and immediately, the audience had its first outburst as Kamala, in what apparently was a power move, walked directly to a seemingly awkward Donald for the traditional pre-debate handshake. Unexpectedly the streaming connection was not working properly. To some people’s amusement, it seemed as if every time Trump was about to speak or lie, the screen froze! The screen froze often.

After about twenty minutes, the debate switched from the streaming service to PBS, and everybody was then able to watch clearly. If there was a Trump supporter present, then they were deep undercover because derisive laughter coupled by shouts of anger permeated the room as the debate moved along. As usual, Trump repeatedly talked trash about migrants and avoided questions.

When it was over, Brenda Brown said, “Kamala was great. She was on point. Trump rambled, telling his usual lies. Kamala said what she is gonna do, uplifting America while Trump is down beating America.”
Mireille Liong explained, “It is incredibly hard to debate Trump because he does not care about the debate; he only speaks to his base.

“Kamala did a phenomenal job after being nervous for the first question. She really got her point across. I hated that they allowed Trump to speak too often.”
Michelle Bostic agreed, “Kamala had a lot of strong points, and Trump is always out of control.”

“Both sides did what they were bound to do. Kamala did well, and Trump does what he does in every debate: he deflects and goes to the topics he wants to talk about,” Dimitrius shared.
The group burst out in laughter that probably echoed around the company when Trump acknowledged that poor people were eating dogs and cats in one country. He also researched that fake news from something he heard on TikTok.

Doris Pinn offered to Our Time Press this sober consideration of “Kamala is skilled as a prosecutor. I think she did well. Trump had many words, and he didn’t answer any questions.
People who didn’t know her before learned more about “the broad strokes” of her background, and she stated them more than once. She talked about the economy and hit him hard on the Affordable Care Act. For those who are undecided, I think Harris gave them something to think about. Something beyond his ‘one-note’.”

Before the “watch” closed out, State Assemblywoman Stefani Zinerman arrived just in time to deliver closing remarks. The “wherever the community is, I am” politician had just completed her tour of several debate-watch nights and still had one or two to go. The applause was warm and welcoming.

“You’ve heard the evidence this evening,” she said, adding that Trump is willing to “flout” people and communities wherever and whenever he can. She pressed audience members to become “engaged” in the process, repeating the urgings of Butler, Hon. Robinson and District Leader Kenesha Traynham-Copper and others on the Democratic process.

“Every vote counts in the long run,” she said. Go out and talk to everyone you know about this election – from people in nail salons to people standing at bus stops, “she told the audience.
“This is a historic moment. We have a leader transitioning into the top job in the world. She did a fantastic job dealing with (Trump in this debate). I need you to converse with everybody you encounter, so we can be stronger. We need 60% of the Electorate to vote.
“Let’s continue to grow our (Democratic Party),” Assemblywoman Zinerman rallied the crowd, emphasizing, “and win this election on November 5!”

During one point in the debate, the Vice President looked directly at the camera, speaking to thousands of viewers who were simultaneously witnessing her prowess in the area of power. She said deliberatively, “You deserve a President who will put YOU first, and I will.”
VIDA brought the community out to watch, learn, get directions, and be inspired to take action. The community responded by turning out to the historic Restoration Plaza complex. For those who wanted to see the first female President of the United States (proudly Black and Asian), there was more than a glimpse of her and how she will handle the job, at thousands of events across the country. IG: @kazbatts