The day before the 2016 election, the sun shined down on thousands of people packed onto Bigelow Boulevard. People who couldn’t make it to the event peeked out the windows of the Cathedral of Learning and the William Pitt Union and lined up along the sidewalks. These students and adults alike congregated together on a Monday afternoon to see one person: Democratic nominee for President, Hillary Clinton.
Clinton made the last-minute stop at the University of Pittsburgh on her way to give a speech with President Obama in Philadelphia in the evening. Local government officials spoke including Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, Congressman Mike Doyle and Democratic nominee for the Senate, Katie McGinty. These speakers and Clinton encouraged the audience not just to vote for the President, but to vote Democrat up and down the ballot.
“Now, our names will be on the ballot tomorrow, but those values and every issue you care about will be there, too,” said Clinton.
These values she spoke of included civil rights, voting rights, LGBT+ rights, disability rights and women’s rights. She attacked her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, for his divisive comments against minorities and his push against these rights.
“We don’t have to accept a dark and divisive mission for America,” said Clinton. “Tomorrow you can vote for a hopeful, inclusive, big-hearted America. Our core values are being tested in this election, and I know that people are frustrated. A lot of people feel left out and left behind. There’s fear, even anger, in our country, but I gotta say, anger is not a plan, my friends.”
Along with social issues, Clinton focused on the young people in the crowd, advocating they receive the same opportunities to succeed as their parents. She talked about how she and Bernie Sanders worked together to agree that public colleges and universities should be tuition free. She said she wishes to lower student debt, lower interest rates and have people pay the interest as a percentage of their income.
When talking of lowering tuition, she said, “It’s good for you. It’s good for your families. It’s good for your country.”
Overall, Clinton’s speech carried certain themes. She advocated for children, families and the middle class. She said she wanted to invest in good paying jobs, infrastructure, small businesses, advanced manufacturing and clean energy. However, the issue she most heavily emphasized was inclusion.
“Let me just say the choice in this election could not be clearer,” said Clinton. “It really is between division or unity. Between strong and steady leadership or a loose cannon. Between an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top, and an economy that is set up and run for those at the top.”
Clinton closed her speech by thanking everyone for coming and encouraging them to vote and volunteer for her campaign in the last 24 hours. Her final words as she departed the stage were simple: “Love trumps hate.”
Photo Credit: Author’s photos