US Vice President Kamala Harris took center stage at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Thursday night, officially accepting her party's nomination for the presidency, having won the delegate count several weeks ago following the turbulent party leadership from President Joe Biden in the wake of his decision to withdraw from the race.
The convention hall erupted in applause as Harris ascended the platform, Beyoncé's "Freedom" providing a stirring soundtrack to the historic moment.
OK, let's get to business. Let's get to business. All right," Harris declared, cutting through the cheers. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to her husband and to President Biden: "To our president, Joe Biden. When I think about the path that we have traveled together, Joe, I am filled with gratitude. Your record is extraordinary, as history will show, and your character is inspiring. And Doug and I love you and Jill, and are forever thankful to you both."
Video: Pro-Palestinian protestors near the DNC in Chicago / Credit: Danny Zaken
Harris then delved into her personal narrative: "So, America, the path that led me here in recent weeks was, no doubt, unexpected. But I'm no stranger to unlikely journeys. So, my mother, our mother, Shyamala Harris, had one of her own; my mother was 19 when she crossed the world alone, traveling from India to California with an unshakable dream to be the scientist who would cure breast cancer. When she finished school, she was supposed to return home to a traditional arranged marriage. But as fate would have it, she met my father, Donald Harris, a student from Jamaica. They fell in love and got married, and that act of self-determination made my sister, Maya, and me."
Painting a vivid picture of her formative years, Harris continued: "My mother was a brilliant, five-foot-tall brown woman with an accent. And as the eldest child – as the eldest child – I saw how the world would sometimes treat her ... but my mother never lost her cool. She was tough, courageous, a trailblazer in the fight for women's health, and she taught Maya and me a lesson that Michelle mentioned the other night. She taught us to never complain about injustice, but do something about it. Do something about it."
"And, so, on behalf of the people, on behalf of every American, regardless of party, race, gender or the language your grandmother speaks. On behalf of my mother, and everyone who has ever set out on their own unlikely journey. On behalf of Americans like the people I grew up with – people who work hard, chase their dreams and look out for one another. On behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on Earth, I accept your nomination to be president of the United States of America," she declared, making her the first African American and East Indian American woman to be on the top of the presidential ticket of a major party in the US.
Addressing the Middle East conflict, she stated: "President Biden and I are working around the clock, because now is the time to get a hostage deal and a ceasefire deal done."
"And let me be clear. And let me be clear. I will always stand up for Israel's right to defend itself, and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself, because the people of Israel must never again face the horror that a terrorist organization called Hamas caused on Oct. 7, including unspeakable sexual violence and the massacre of young people at a music festival."
She noted, however, that "at the same time, what has happened in Gaza over the past 10 months is devastating. So many innocent lives lost. Desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety, over and over again. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking," stressing that "President Biden and I are working to end this war, such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination."
It's worth noting that Harris' remarks on Palestinian self-determination elicited the most enthusiastic response from the audience throughout her address. On Iran, Harris was resolute: "And know this: I will never hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to defend our forces and our interests against Iran and Iran-backed terrorists. I will not cozy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong-un, who are rooting for Trump. Who are rooting for Trump."
This speech undoubtedly marked a defining moment in Harris' political career, as the nation eagerly awaited her articulation of a presidential vision. Should she emerge victorious, Harris would etch her name in the annals of American history as the first woman to assume the presidency.
In the aftermath of Harris's speech, former President Donald Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, with a pointed attack. "SHE HATES ISRAEL," the Republican presidential nominee wrote. "Wouldn't even show up to Congress for [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's session!," adding, "She caused the Attack of October 7."
