JLo and Maná urge Las Vegas Latinos to support Kamala Harris

Lopez, a child of Puerto Rican parents, said voters have the choice “between backwards and forwards … between divided and united” this election.

Jennifer Lopez told the 6,000 attendees at Thursday’s Kamala Harris rally in Las Vegas to “get loud” and make their voices heard if they haven’t voted already in this year’s election. 

The rally, which took place in Craig Ranch Park’s amphitheater in North Las Vegas, also had a special performance by Grammy-winning Mexican rock band Maná. 

The Vice President’s visit to Las Vegas was the last stop for her on Thursday, after visiting  Phoenix and Reno earlier in the day, as part of an effort to energize Latino voters ahead of Election Day. 

In Nevada, about 30% of the population is Latino and Latinos make up 22% of Nevada’s electorate, giving them a decisive role come Election Day. 

During her speech, Lopez responded to comedian Tony Hinchcliffe calling Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage” at former President Donald Trump’s rally in New York City last weekend and encouraged Latinos to not be in the shadows and instead call out “presente.”

“At Madison Square Garden, [Trump] reminded us who he really is and how he really feels. It wasn’t just Puerto Ricans that were offended that day, okay? It was every Latino in this country,” Lopez said. “I believe in the power of Latinos. I believe in the power of our community. I believe in the power of all our votes. I believe that together we are the difference in this election.”

Lopez, a child of Puerto Rican parents, said voters have the choice “between backwards and forwards … between divided and united” this election. 

“If you are anything like me and you value the idea that in this country any child from any background can not only work their ass off to bring their dreams to life and be able to do so with dignity and respect for their neighbors, then it isn’t much of a choice at all,” she said. “Whether you’re from Castle Hill in the Bronx, or Sunrise Manor in East Las Vegas, we all want a world where our kids feel safe and free and valued by their president. Because whoever leads this country matters. That’s how we make the greatest America.”

While many of the attendees cheered when Harris came on and asked who had already voted, she aimed to make her closing argument to Nevada voters — especially Gen Z voters and those who may be “impatient for change” when it comes to their top concerns, including the war in Gaza. 

“Here’s what I love about our young leaders. You guys are rightly impatient. You are rightly impatient for change. You are young leaders who are determined to live free from gun violence, to take on the climate crisis, you intend to shape the world you inherit,” Harris said. “I love that about you because for you, none of these issues is theoretical. It’s not political. This is your lived experience, and I see you and I see your power, and I’m so proud of you.”