Harris appeals to Black voters at Sunday service

GREENVILLE, N.C.—Vice President Harris made an appeal to Black voters, participating in a Sunday service to talk about hurricane disinformation and teachings from the Bible about helping others.

“At an early age, I learned that faith is a verb. It is something we show in action and in service,” Harris said to a packed church.

Harris took the stage in the middle of the service at Koinonia Christian Center, introduced by Bishop Rosie S. O’neal.

“We are thinking of everyone who has been affected by these storms… I know the people of Greenville, like all Americans, have been inspired by ways communities are coming together,” the vice president said.

She alluded to former President Trump, without mentioning him, for spreading what she said is misinformation about Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton and the federal response to it.

“Moments of crisis, I believe, do have a way of revealing the heroes among us, the angels among us, and showing us all the best of who we are. And these hurricanes have revealed heroes around all of us,” she said. Heroes who do not ask the injured or stranded whether they are a Republican or a Democrat, but simply ask, are you OK?”

But Harris pointed out that not everyone is "acting in the spirit of community." 

"And I am speaking of those who have been literally not telling the truth, lying, about people who are working hard to help those in need. Spreading disinformation when the truth and fact are required,” she added.

Some worshipers nodded in agreement while she spoke about the consequences of disinformation. Hurricane Helene hit the western part of North Carolina, on the other side of the Tar Heel State from Greenville.

“The problem is… it’s making it harder to get people lifesaving information if they’re led to believe they cannot trust. And that is the pain of it all, because the idea that those in need are somehow being convinced that the forces are working against them in a way that they would not seek aid,” she said.

Harris admonished those who are using this moment to turn “tragedies and sorrows” into “grievances and hatred.”

“And one may ask why? And I think sadly, I think the motives are quite transparent, to gain some advantage for themselves. To play politics for other people’s heartbreak, and it is unconscionable,” Harris said.

She argued that leaders, in times of crisis, don’t play politics.

“Now is the time to live up to the fundamental values that reflect our nation at its best. The values of compassion and community and honesty and decency. The values that define the people of Greenville, the people of North Carolina,” she said.

She also referenced multiple Bible verses during her remarks, citing Isaiah to acknowledge that those helping during the hurricane clean up act to be “a refuge for the needy in their distress.”

Harris cited Paul’s letter to the church in Galatians, saying that Paul “reminded them and us, that God calls us not to become weary of doing good. Because we each have the power, God tells us this, the power each one of us, to make a difference.”

Around the end of her remarks, congregants stood up and began to cheer and wave for her.

“Let us always remember that while weeping may endure for a night, joy cometh in the morning,” she said, bringing people to their feet.

When not speaking, Harris participated in the service, sitting in the front row and clapping and singing along to songs. She sat next to O’neal, who enthusiastically welcomed the vice president, saying “I realize we have people who vote all kinds of ways… but we have a sitting vice president.”

The vice president traveled to Raleigh on Saturday and met with Black elected, faith, and community leaders at a local barbecue restaurant. She is set to give remarks in Greenville later on Sunday.

Harris has visited the state several times in her run for president. 

Her campaign has been focused in recent days on appealing to Black voters. Former President Barack Obama called on Black men to turn out for Harris in November while stumping for her in Pennsylvania last week. His remarks have received criticism, though, with some saying he belittled Black men and send an "awful" message. 

Trump is leading Harris by 0.7 percentage points in North Carolina, according to Decision Desk HQ/The Hill’s aggregate polling.