harris-accepts-democratic-nomination-for-all-americans

Kamala Harris, 59, walked on the stage to thunderous ovation as she accepted the Democratic Party nomination, vowing to be president for “all Americans," asking them to reject political divisions.

 

She also warned of "extremely serious" consequences of putting her Republican rival Donald Trump back in the White House.

 

Vice President Harris, who is of Indian and African heritage, accepted her party's nomination on Thursday night at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, becoming the second woman to do so for the Democratic Party.

 

As she walked on the stage the audience chanted “Yes You Can!” 

 

Taking the stage at the United Centre in Chicago to accept her nomination, Harris said she is no stranger to unlikely journeys.

 

"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 the United States," she said.

 

She remembered her mother Shyamala Gopalan and said that she misses her every day, especially when she is on the verge of breaking the highest glass ceiling of the United States.

 

She said the November 5 election is the most important in America's history.

 

“Our nation with this election has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past. A chance to chart a new way forward. Not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans," she said in her 40-minute speech.

 

Vice President Harris outlined her plans for a “new way forward” if she’s elected to be the 47th president of the United States.

 

She laid out the consequences of electing former President Donald Trump to a second term.

 

“In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man, but the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious,” she warned.

 

She spoke about the “chaos and calamity” of his years in the Oval Office and also pointed to him questioning election results in 2020 when he lost his reelection bid.

 

“Donald Trump tried to throw away your votes. When he failed, he sent an armed mob to the United States Capitol where they assaulted law enforcement officers. When politicians in his own party begged him to call off the mob and send help, he did the opposite. He fanned the flames,” she said.

 

Harris also highlighted that Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts in a hush money case and that a federal jury in his civil defamation trial found that the former president had sexually abused writer E Jean Carroll.

 

“He was found guilty of fraud by a jury of everyday Americans, and separately found liable for committing sexual abuse,” she said.

 

On leadership, Harris said she would ensure America strengthens and not abdicate its global leadership.

 

She also said she would ensure "America, not China, wins the competition for the 21st century". She also extended support to Ukraine and NATO allies.

 

If elected the commander-in-chief of the US, Harris said she will ensure that the country always has the strongest and most lethal fighting force in the world, Israel has the ability to defend itself and Ukraine and NATO allies are not abandoned.

 

Harris, 59, made these remarks as she formally accepted the Democratic Party's presidential nomination to take on Republican rival and former president Donald Trump in the November 5 election.

 

In her address to the Democratic National Convention here on Thursday, she said that she would never hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to defend American forces and the country's interests against Iran and Iran-backed terrorists.

 

"And I will not cosy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim-Jong-Un, who are rooting for Trump. Because they know he is easy to manipulate with flattery and favours. They know Trump won’t hold autocrats accountable—because he wants to be an autocrat,’” Harris said.

 

"As President, I will never waver in defence of America’s security and ideals. Because, in the enduring struggle between democracy and tyranny, I know where I stand — and where the United States of America belongs,’ she said.

 

Harris said as Vice President, she has confronted threats to security, negotiated with foreign leaders, strengthened alliances, and engaged with brave troops overseas.

 

“As Commander-in-Chief, I will ensure America always has the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world. I will fulfil our sacred obligation to care for our troops and their families,” she said.

 

"And I will always honour, and never disparage, their service and their sacrifice," she said.

 

Trump, on the other hand, threatened to abandon NATO. He encouraged Russian President Vladimir Putin to invade America's allies, she said.

 

Trump said Russia could “do whatever the hell they want", she alleged.

 

Harris said five days before Russia attacked Ukraine, she met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to warn him about Russia’s plan to invade.

 

"I helped mobilise a global response — over 50 countries — to defend against Putin’s aggression. And as President, I will stand strong with Ukraine and our NATO allies,’ she said, according to PTI.

 

On the disastrous Gaza war, she said: "President Biden and I are working around the clock. Because now is the time to get a hostage deal and ceasefire done.

 

"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."

 

The reason was "Because the people of Israel must never again face the horror that the terrorist organisation Hamas caused on October 7, including unspeakable sexual violence and the massacre of young people at a music festival," she said.

 

What has happened in Gaza over the past 10 months is devastating, the Vice President said, referring to the unprecedented terror attack by Hamas.

 

"So many innocent lives lost. Desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety, over and over again. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking,” she said.

 

“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 realise their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination,” Harris said.