MIAMI (WSVN) - Cheered on by a crowd of thousands, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton urged her supporters to head to the polls, as she appeared onstage alongside superstars Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony during a free outdoor concert hosted by her campaign in Downtown Miami, Saturday night.
Dressed in a green jacket, the former secretary of state made a grand entrance at Bayfront Park Amphitheater, set to Lopez’s hit single “Let’s Get Loud.” Moments later she joined hands with the performers, Lopez to her right and Anthony to her left.
“We’re at a crossroads, and we have to take the right road to the future, and we have the perfect person to take us there,” said Lopez moments before introducing Clinton onstage.
“We’re about to have our first woman president,” Lopez added.
Both performers sent a strong message to the LGBTQ community, the disabled and Latino voters that America is, to borrow Clinton’s campaign slogan, stronger together. “After the establishment shows up and sees the power we have, they’ll never mess with us again,” said Anthony.
Hours earlier, a line of concertgoers stretched around the block in front of Bayfront Park Amphitheater, Saturday evening. “When we looked back, the line was about half what it is now,” said reveler Tito Orta. “Now it extends all the way down the block.”
With 10 days to go until the general election, thousands of people, some of whom chanted “Hil-la-ry,” braved the rainy weather as they waited to enter the concert venue to get a glimpse of Lopez and Anthony.
Among them was Broward resident Tanya Ramirez, who came all the way down from Fort Lauderdale. At the time she spoke with 7News, she had been waiting in lines for three hours.
“All the support is for Hillary and ‘JLo’ and Marc Anthony, and just come and enjoy the free concert,” said Ramirez.
Meanwhile, Clinton stepped off a plane in Miami as part of her push in the crucial swing state of Florida.
The event took place one day after the FBI announced it will reopen its investigation into Clinton’s emails.
Lopez and Anthony are just two out of a handful of performers pushing a message to get out the vote in support of the former New York senator. Hip-hop artist Jay Z will also be holding a concert in support of Clinton in Cleveland, Ohio, Friday, and on Nov. 6, Cher will be holding a concert at the Fillmore Miami Beach.
“This inspires people, not only to hope, but to try to understand the democratic process here in the United States,” said Orta.
The excitement among attendees was palpable well before doors opened at the amphitheater at 6 p.m.
The rain continued once the concert got underway, but it didn’t dampen reveler’s spirits as they danced and sang along with the “American Idol” judge.
Lopez publicly endorsed Clinton more than a year and a half ago. “[Jennifer] is also a fierce advocate for women and children, and that means a lot to me,” Clinton said onstage at the amphitheater.
The candidate also targeted her Republican opponent during her appearance. She used a phrase made popular by first lady Michelle Obama. “No matter how low our opponents go, we go high,” she said.
Clinton reminded the crowd that more than 16 million voters already cast ballots nationwide, with 3 million in Florida. “Every day, every hour, every minute. This is our chance,” she said.
She urged Florida supporters to “get loud at the voting booth.”
As she continues her attempts to take Florida on the Nov. 8 election, Clinton is scheduled to appear at a rally in Wilton Manors, Sunday.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.