Pre-debate, Philly becomes ground zero for press, protests and profit

Crowds of all kinds gathered in Philadelphia Tuesday in anticipation of the 9 p.m. presidential debate – and the media attention surrounding the event. As one passerby remarked: “It’s like every news station in the world is here.”

Those seeking to take advantage of the press spotlight were just part of the spectacle engulfing the city as the National Constitution Center hosts what’s likely to be the only debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. 

From City Hall to the Constitution Center, here’s a sampling of what we saw: 

Security

The high-profile event brought plenty of people to town on Tuesday, with many individuals – from protesters and imitators to media and merchants – posting up around the blocks surrounding the National Constitution Center throughout the day – because of security concerns, the closest anyone without the proper credentials could get was over a block away from the venue. 

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel said Monday that Philadelphia’s Office of Emergency Management would be activated ahead of the debate. Police lined virtually every block on Arch Street and Market from Fifth to 15th streets, and various other security details were making the rounds of the blocks near the Constitution Center. 

Signage

Like most Pennsylvanians during an election cycle, the advertisements were hard to miss. Harris introduced new Philly-centric ads that were displayed around the city, using Wawa, cheesesteaks, and pretzels to promote her support within the city and attack Trump. 

Meanwhile, a large Trump sign noting Robert F., Kennedy Jr.’s endorsement of the former president, can be seen on Market Street just blocks from the debate. 

Not to be outdone, third-party candidates like the Green Party’s Jill Stein and the American Communist Party’s Bob Avakian had supporters milling about the public area on Market Street a block away from the debate site.

Sights and sounds

The plethora of people surrounding the Constitution Center came from all walks of life. A group of pro-Palestinian protestors, many of whom held “Abandon Harris ’24” signs chanted and made their way toward City Hall for a larger rally. 

Even in a heavily Democratic city, there were a few Trump supporters parading signs and flags. One couple dawning “Make America Great Again” hats approached a similarly clad group asking, “Where is everybody?” to which one man replied that there were a “few and proud” supporters of the former president to be found in the area.

One of those supporters, Delaware County native Augusta DiRosato, a former supporter of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who cast her allegiance with the GOP candidate after Kennedy bowed out of the race, said that she hoped to hear Trump espouse progressive views toward cannabis leglaization and a hardline approach to immigration. “I really want him to talk about how he is going to protect people’s pets from being eaten by Haitian illegal immigrants,” she emphasized, espousing the right-wing hoax that gained traction among far-right outlets and conservative voices – including among noted cat-lady hater and current GOP vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance – that was quickly and thoroughly debunked by law enforcement.

Various Trump opponents made their voices heard, including Reggie Regrut, who proudly stood with a “Veterans for Kamala” sign coinciding with an American flag labeled “Biden flag.” Regrut, of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, said he made the trip to call out Trump. 

“I was hoping for a peaceful transition (of power) but Trump exacerbated everything” on January 6, 2021, Regrut said, calling him a “domestic enemy.” He said his candidate of choice is one who “supports upholding the Constitution.”

A couple of blocks from the Constitution Center, LaJohn Robinson was on a corner selling Harris apparel. Robinson, who came to the event from Mobile, Alabama, said he’s followed Harris around the country selling merchandise since the vice president took over the Democratic ticket. 

“In Las Vegas, it was like Michael Jackson was there,” Robinson told City & State. People “were falling over” partly due to her appearance and the high temperatures.