Harris Seen Chanting Against Deportation in 2018 Parade Video With Controversial Actor

In January 2018, Kamala Harris attended the Annual Kingdom Day Parade in Los Angeles as the Grand Marshal. The event, celebrated to honor Martin Luther King Jr., saw Harris actively engaging with the crowd. During the parade, she was recorded chanting, "up, up with education, down, down with deportation," accompanied by applause and evident enthusiasm.

Actor Jussie Smollett, known for his role in the television series "Empire," also appears in the video alongside Harris. At the time, Smollett had not yet faced the legal troubles that later marred his career, related to allegations of staging a hate crime against himself in 2019.

Following the controversial incident involving Smollett, Harris was quick to support him, describing the purported attack as "an attempted modern-day lynching." This quote underlined her commitment to social justice issues, particularly those involving race and sexuality.

Shift in Policy: Harris's Evolving Immigration Stance

During her campaign for the presidential primaries in 2019, Harris was a vocal supporter of expanding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. She also proposed a "parole in place" program aimed at preventing the deportation of illegal immigrants who could face immediate danger upon return to their home countries.

However, Harris's immigration policies have seen considerable moderation since she became Vice President and now the Democratic presidential nominee. Her campaign has shifted focus, now prioritizing the enforcement of existing laws and the removal of individuals who pose a threat to public safety.

This change reflects a broader strategy to appeal to a wider electoral base, acknowledging the practical challenges and complexities involved in governing a diverse and divided country.

From Advocacy to Administration: Harris's Role in Shaping Policy

An adviser to the Harris campaign noted that her evolved positions on key issues like decriminalizing illegal crossings and closing immigration detention centers are influenced by her experience in the Biden-Harris administration. This experience provided her with a practical perspective on governance and policy implementation.

Harris now supports a bipartisan Senate package that seeks to strengthen border security and impose limitations on asylum entries. This package is part of her campaign's broader strategy to promote practical and achievable solutions over ideological stances.

The campaign contrasts Harris's current policy approaches with those of Donald Trump, emphasizing a leadership style centered on bipartisanship and pragmatism. Mia Ehrenberg, a spokesperson for Harris, highlighted this contrast, stating, "While Donald Trump is wedded to the extreme ideas in his Project 2025 agenda, Vice President Harris believes real leadership means bringing all sides together to build consensus."

Championing a Pragmatic Approach in Politics

Ehrenberg further elaborated on Harris's policy achievements and her vision for the presidency, "It is that approach that made it possible for the Biden-Harris administration to achieve bipartisan breakthroughs on everything from infrastructure to gun violence prevention. As President, she will take that same pragmatic approach, focusing on common-sense solutions for the sake of progress."

The resurfacing of the 2018 parade video has indeed put Harris's past and present views into the spotlight, providing both supporters and critics with much to discuss as the 2024 presidential election approaches. Harris continues to position herself as a unifying figure willing to adapt and respond to the changing political landscape.

As the election draws nearer, the public's response to Harris's transformation from a vocal advocate for progressive causes to a pragmatic presidential hopeful remains to be seen. Her approach to immigration, a pivotal issue for many voters, will likely play a significant role in shaping her campaign's success or failure.