Hundreds gather in Harrisburg for CASA voting event ahead of Election Day

Harrisburg's Reservoir Park on Saturday afternoon was filled with hundreds of enthusiastic volunteers who came together for a canvassing event and rally held by the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) In Action.

The event — which included speakers, local advocates and former congressman and Puerto Rican leader Luis Guiterrez — promoted Vice President and Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris before volunteers hit the streets to knock on doors.

"We can't go back to the ways of racism, discrimination and bigotry," one of the speakers said on the PA system while chants of "Sí se puede," meaning "Yes you can" or "It is possible," filled the air.

A gazebo at the park was packed with volunteers in CASA shirts raising signs encouraging Pennsylvania immigrants to vote for Harris and other candidates on this year's ballot.

A man named Luis, who has lived in Pennsylvania for about six years after immigrating from Puerto Rico, told PennLive he is excited to cast his vote on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

"The chance to vote in Pennsylvania is really good," he said. "I am very thankful. Events like today are important for letting people know."

A banner reading "Immigrants are essential," was one of many being held near the speaking area.

There are over 983,000 Black Americans eligible to vote in Pennsylvania this election and around 579,000 Latino Americans, according to CASA In Action. Those two groups represent nineteen times more than Joe Biden's margin of victory in the 2020 election, according to a press release for the event.

As of October 27, CASA in Action has canvassed over 100,000 doors, run hundreds of radio ads in Spanish and spent over $100,000 in digital ads in favor of Harris, Bob Casey , Janelle Stelson , and other candidates, according to a press release.

CASA In Action has a national organization accompanied by branches in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Georgia. Many people in attendance made the trip to Harrisburg from Maryland to support the event.