'The eyes of the nation are on Arizona': VP Harris talks reproductive freedom in Phoenix

Vice President Kamala Harris appeared Friday in Phoenix to mobilize supporters around one of Democrats' top campaign issues: abortion.

Harris, visiting in her official capacity as vice president, slammed Republican-led laws to restrict abortion, opening her remarks by discussing the Supreme Court's overturning of the landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade, an issue that has galvanized Democrats since.

"In America, freedom is not to be given. It is not to be bestowed. It is ours by right. And that, of course, includes the freedom to make decisions about one's own body," she said.

"In states across our nation, extremists have proposed and passed laws that criminalize doctors and punished women, laws that threaten doctors and nurses with prison time, even for life, simply for providing health care. Laws like those in Arizona."

The visit was part of Harris' nationwide "Fight for Reproductive Freedoms" tour, which has taken her through states including Wisconsin, California, and Michigan. It will mark her third time visiting Arizona as vice president, according to the White House.

As the 2024 election cycle ramps up, the White House has sent a parade of visitors and surrogates through Arizona, which is considered one of the few states up for grabs by both parties in the upcoming presidential race.

Harris visited Flagstaff in October as part of a tour to mobilize young voters. Biden himself appeared in Tempe in September to announce a new library honoring the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. First lady Jill Biden visited Tucson earlier this month for an event centered on abortion rights.

The administration has made Harris, the first woman to serve as vice president, a face of their messaging on abortion. She plays an outsize role in the ongoing re-election campaign amid concerns over Biden's health and age.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Angela Florez, president of Planned Parenthood Arizona, introduced Harris.

"The eyes of the nation are on Arizona," Becerra said. "What more must happen to us here, and throughout America, before it occurs to us that we have the power to stop this madness? That we have the power to restore those rights to my three daughters, your daughters, to all of our daughters?"

Biden struck a similar tone Thursday during his primetime State of the Union speech.

"There are state laws banning the freedom to choose, criminalizing doctors, forcing survivors of rape and incest to leave their states to get the treatment they need," Biden said Thursday. "Many of you in this chamber, and my predecessor, are promising to pass a national ban on reproductive freedom. My God, what freedoms would you take away?"

Harris greeted a crowd of one or two hundred supporters at South Mountain Community Center in Phoenix. The location was not publicly disclosed prior to the event. Trailed by protests related to the administration's handling of Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, the Biden campaign has used that tactic to minimize disruptions, NBC News has reported.

Protesters have questioned Harris and interrupted first lady Jill Biden on the issue during their recent visits to Arizona. On Friday, a protester interrupted Harris several minutes into her remarks, and was escorted out of the venue.

In an interview after Harris' remarks, Becerra told The Arizona Republic that the state's 15-week abortion ban likely has adverse health impacts for Arizonans.

"We know that in states that have bans or restrictions, the rate of death goes dramatically up for women. And we know that when a woman doesn't have access to the care she needs quickly, not only is she imperiled, but the baby she's carrying is imperiled," Becerra said.

Phoenix police arrest woman:after throwing red liquid at VP Kamala Harris' motorcade

Some Democrats absent from visit

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., helped introduce Harris.

"No one besides our doctors and us should be able to dictate the deeply personal and medical decisions. We are so fortunate to have a president and vice president who understand that and who are right there with us," Gallego said.

"Anti-choice extremists are looking to take us back even further, asking the Arizona Supreme Court to revive a near-total ban on abortion that was passed in 1864, 50 years before we were a state, 50 years before women could even vote," Stanton said, referencing pro-life groups' defense of a territorial-era law that went into effect after Roe v. Wade was overturned.

Some prominent Arizona Democrats were absent from the Harris event.

Gov. Katie Hobbs and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes were invited to appear with Harris, but both declined, citing scheduling conflicts.

Mayes spokesperson Richie Taylor said she was unavailable because she would be taking her daughter to the airport for spring break. Otherwise, Mayes would be there, Taylor said.

Asked at a Wednesday news conference what the conflict was, Hobbs said: "I have meetings, I don’t know exactly what they are. I don’t even know what I’m going to after this. I don’t have my calendar memorized for tomorrow."

The event took place in Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego's district. Aides to Gallego, who is the party's leading Senate candidate, said on Friday that Gallego "had votes this morning" and confirmed he will not be in attendance.

Harris mentioned Gallego in her remarks and said he "wanted to be here today."

Reporter Stacey Barchenger contributed reporting.

Laura Gersony covers national politics for the Arizona Republic. Contact her at lgersony@gannett.com or 480-372-0389.