Afternoon Arrival Estimated for Harris on Saturday
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to arrive in Pittsfield early Saturday afternoon, according to emerging information about the campaign event.
Gov. Maura Healey will greet her at Westfield-Barnes Airport around 12:30 p.m. The Pittsfield event is expected to start around 1:30 p.m.
"Please be advised that due to a special event occurring in the downtown area, we ask the public to follow all posted detours between 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 27," a press release from the city reads.
"Drivers should also expect delays downtown and should consider alternate routes. Parking restrictions will also be in place. Residents, visitors and event attendees should keep these temporary closures in mind when traveling."
Harris was scheduled for the sold-out event in downtown Pittsfield before being suddenly elevated to presidential candidate on Sunday. The original Biden-Harris fundraiser is now a Harris fundraiser but it was unclear if she would continue with her scheduled appearances.
Tickets sold out almost immediately, ranging from $100 to thousands of dollars.
"For security purposes," event details have not been disclosed such as the time and location. It is assumed to occur at the Colonial Theatre based on a seating chart in the Eventbrite ticket link though, a representative from the theater last week denied knowledge of the event — then directed the caller to the Eventbrite link.
Josh Landes, WAMC's Berkshire bureau chief, has confirmed that he will be at the event and posted details to social media on Friday.
"We expect the program [at the Colonial Theatre] to begin at approximately 1:20 p.m. ET and for the show to conclude at 2:40 p.m. ET," the post reads.
"The program will include remarks from Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Ed Markey, Congressman Richie Neal, Fmr. Governor Deval Patrick and Heather Cox Richardson as well as performances by James Taylor, Yo-Yo Ma, and Emanuel Ax. Concessions will be available for purchase at the venue."
The Federal Aviation Administration will enact "temporary flight restrictions for VIP movement" from 12:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. on Saturday.
iBerkshires.com has attempted to contact the campaign to inquire about press access without success. The city distributed a media release asking that members of the press park in the Doctor's Park located at 199 South St.
"Set up for the event will take place in the area of South Congregational Church located at 110 South Street," the notice reads.
The Berkshire Eagle reports that Sherwood Guernsey, an attorney and leader of the Berkshire Brigades local Democratic organization and president of Rural Freedom Network, is the organizer of the event.
The last political fundraiser in Pittsfield was with Michelle Obama for her husband's second presidential run in 2012 against former Gov. Mitt Romney, now a U.S. senator for Utah. Taylor also performed at that event and a private roundtable was held afterward at the Patricks' Sweet P Farm in Richmond.
At noon, a coalition of groups led by the Democratic Socialists of America and Anti-Imperialist Solidarity will be protesting the Biden administration's "active, unconditional support for Israel's war crimes and genocide in Gaza."
The group reported that since Oct. 7, the Biden administration has given more than $12.5 billion to Israel for military machinery, bombs, and other aid. Israel has used this to engage in its attack on Gaza, which has left 186,000 Palestinians killed, 84 percent of all health facilities damaged or destroyed, and three-quarters of the population displaced, they said.
As of Thursday, the Palestinian Health Ministry put the death toll at 39,175 Palestinians. The ministry reports 90,403 people injured.
The time and location of Saturday's event is subject to change.
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