### Kamala Harris Campaigns in Erie Amid Stirring Crowds and Fresh Policy Announcements

Vice President Kamala Harris, the current Democratic nominee for president, made a vibrant campaign stop at Erie Insurance Arena on Monday night. Arriving at Erie International Airport around 5:40 p.m., Harris and her team prepared for an evening full of enthusiastic supporters, lively entertainment, and a significant policy announcement.

The doors to Erie Insurance Arena opened to general admission attendees at 3:30 p.m. As hundreds of people lined up, stretching from the arena down French Street to 10th Street, DJ Henry GQ energized the growing crowd with a mix of popular hits, including OutKast's "Hey Ya" and Miley Cyrus' "Party in the U.S.A." Attendees danced and clapped as a "Freedom for Pennsylvania" banner and signs proclaiming "A New Way Forward for Pennsylvania" hung prominently.

Vice President Harris also revealed a new initiative aimed at uplifting Black men, titled the "Opportunity Agenda for Black Men." Before the rally, she discussed the plan with Black leaders in Erie. The agenda proposes a million fully-forgivable loans of up to $20,000 for Black entrepreneurs, job opportunities, a National Health Equity Initiative, and the legalization of recreational marijuana.

Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania joined Harris at the rally, just 22 days before the crucial Election Day, emphasizing the event's significance in the pivotal state of Pennsylvania. However, Harris' running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, campaigned separately with Democratic governors in Wisconsin.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the state, former President Donald Trump was set to host a town hall near Philadelphia in Oaks, Pennsylvania. Trump previously rallied at Erie's Bayfront Convention Center on September 29. Notably, Trump's campaign still owes the City of Erie more than $40,000 for public safety costs associated with his previous visits.

In anticipation of Harris' rally, the city prepared to bill her campaign for costs incurred by local police and other departments. An invoice totaling $40,815 was sent to Harris' campaign last week to cover expenses related to Tim Walz's earlier campaign visit on September 5.

The city's proactive measures ensure that all parties are held accountable for the additional expenses their events generate, underscoring the logistical and financial considerations that accompany such high-profile visits. Harris' visit to Erie came amid a series of campaign events across Pennsylvania, as both Democratic and Republican candidates ramp up their efforts in this bellwether state.