Biden supporters caravan around the A-K Valley, rally in Harrison

A caravan of about 140 cars, trucks and SUVs adorned with decorations touting support for the Biden-Harris presidential ticket paraded around the Alle-Kiski Valley on Saturday, then parked at Harrison Hills Park for a social distance-friendly political rally.

The event marked an opportunity for supporters of Democratic nominee Joe Biden to come together in person during an election year when many Biden events have gone virtual to thwart the spread of the covid-19 pandemic.

It follows a pro-Trump ride-along and rally that drew hundreds to Harrison and Lower Burrell about two weeks ago.

“There’s a lot of silent Biden people in Harrison Township, but today people came out. It was wonderful,” said Harrison 1st Ward Commissioner Charles Dizard, who was part of the caravan. He described it as “very spirited,” despite encountering some heckling and honking from pro-Trump voters along the way.

“This group was phenomenal, and to be pulled off in a week’s time? Unbelievable.”

The event was not organized by Biden’s official campaign, but by 26-year-old Rachel Miller of Harrison. Miller, a chemist and a physicist, said she decided to organize the event and created the Facebook page advertising it in response to the pro-Trump caravan and rally in the area earlier this month.

“I wanted people to feel like they weren’t alone in this community,” Miller said.

U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Mt. Lebanon — who appeared and gave brief remarks at the rally — said the event exemplifies a welcomed trend of grassroots events planned independently of the official parties and campaign teams.

“We saw the beginnings of it in ’18 and what we’re seeing more of this year is people just doing it for themselves, these independent groups — especially the ones that are led by women in these suburban communities,” Lamb said. “They’re not waiting for leadership from the campaign. They’re just canvassing, they’re getting data together, they’re doing what they want to do because they feel a responsibility for it.”

State House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, D-Oakmont, also attended the event, which concluded shortly before Bernie Sanders was scheduled to stump for Biden at the Carrie Blast Furnaces in Rankin and elsewhere in Pittsburgh.

Miller’s caravan traversed Harrison, Brackenridge and Tarentum and a stretch of Route 28 between the Tarentum and Natrona Heights exits, then continued into the rally in the grass outside the Broken Branch and Laurel pavilions at Harrison Hills Park.

Campaign volunteers offered attendees the opportunity to sign up for door-to-door canvassing — starting with taking their temperatures prior to handing out campaign materials for them to share with neighbors and friends.

“Events like this, people have already made up their mind,” said John Babinsack, 51, of Harrison. “You want to get to people who are on the fringe.”