Community prepares for Vice President Harris to visit Wilkes-Barre
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Luzerne County is hours away from welcoming Vice President Kamala Harris to the stage.
The Democratic Presidential Candidate will campaign at Wilkes University on Friday.
28/22 News Reporter Gianna Galli was on campus with what the community is hoping for and what people should expect when heading to the rally.
Soon, there will be thousands of people lined up at McHale Hall on Wilkes University’s campus to see the vice president.
Traffic delays during Vice President Kamala Harris Wilkes-Barre rally
Preparations have been taking place inside here as law enforcement and the city gear up for her visit.
Wilkes-University campus is preparing for a presidential rally on Friday and as Vice President Kamala Harris makes her way to McHale Hall, its students and the city are getting ready.
“Her coming here is going to be monumental. It really is important to us and as soon as we found out the excitement in the air was unheard of,” said Wilkes-University Sophomore Cait Masler.
It’s not the first time Wilkes has welcomed a presidential candidate to its school.
In 2016 and 2022, President Biden campaigned there too.
Friday will likely see large crowds, congested roads, and filled parking lots.
“It’s going to be interesting because I know for the commuter students it could be a struggle to find a parking spot in the mornings,” Masler explained.
Wilkes-Barre prepares for Vice Presidential visit
Traveling around the area will require patience too.
Law enforcement officials will make sure to have the grounds covered.
With state police escorting the vice president from location to location, along with local police shutting down roads and highways throughout the day.
Secret Service will secure the event.
“For Interstate 81, the travel is going to be very limited and it’s going to be shut down at times from about 4:00 p.m. to about 9:00 p.m.,” said Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Bill Evans.
Trooper Evans says around 5,000 people will fill the small venue of McHale Hall during the rally, a big difference from Former President Donald Trump’s rally held at Mohegan Sun Arena in August.
“We’re going to have a heavy law enforcement presence there so we are going to try and handle whatever comes and we’re going to prepare for this one like we would any other detail but we ask that people cooperate,” Trooper Evans explained.
Masler feels despite the small venue, Harris’s impact will be large for Luzerne County if the right topics get addressed.
How to attend Vice President Kamala Harris rally in Wilkes-Barre
She feels gun violence and education are important to her and her classmates and for Wilkes-Barre, the economic policy will be key.
“It’s going to be a unifying force her presence being here not only for the campus but the city as a whole,” Masler added.
A reminder Friday is also Wilkes-University’s first home football game of the season amid the rally taking place on campus.
28/22 News will be providing live coverage for the event all throughout the day.
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