Outside the convention, thousands of protesters gathered to oppose the Biden-Harris administration’s support for Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The American Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprise appearance at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago to pay tribute to US President Joe Biden.
During her appearance on stage, she expressed her deep gratitude by saying: “Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, for your life of service to our nation, and for all that you will continue to do. We are forever grateful.”.
Kamala Harris becomes leading Democratic candidate after Joe Biden withdrawsShe now faces the challenge of convincing a divided electorate ahead of the presidential election on November 5.
A four-minute ovation for Joe Biden
Joe Biden delivered his farewell speech at the convention on Monday night, emphasizing thatHe held no grudges over the end of his term and urged the party to unite behind Kamala Harris.
“I made a lot of mistakes in my career, but I gave my best”the American president said.
Joe Biden was greeted with a four-minute standing ovation and chants “Thanks, Joe”to which he replied: “America, I love you”.
Returning to the choice of Kamala Harris as running mate, Joe Biden said that it was “the best decision I’ve ever made in my entire career”praising his tenacity, experience and integrityHe also stressed that his career embodied the best of American history, drawing parallels with his own career as Barack Obama’s vice president.
Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, joined Joe Biden on stage after his speech, embracing him and his family.
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton greets Kamala Harris
Among the many figures who have come out in support of Kamala Harris is 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, who has highlighted the vice president’s ability to break the “highest and most difficult glass ceiling” becoming the first female president of the United States.
Hillary Clinton also congratulated Joe Biden on his withdrawal, saying: “Now we are writing a new chapter in American history.”.
The convention hosted many speakers, including U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who endorsed Kamala Harris and addressed the Gaza wara subject that deeply divides the Democratic Party.
Joe Biden acknowledges demands of pro-Palestinian protesters
Outside the convention, Thousands of protesters gathered to oppose the Biden-Harris administration’s support for Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Minutes into Joe Biden’s speech, protesters from the Abandon Biden movement held up a sign that read: “Stop arming Israel”.
In response, the lights in that part of the convention were quickly turned off and the sign was removed.
Joe Biden, however, acknowledged that “The protesters on the street are not wrong. Many innocent people are being killed on both sides”, reiterating its call for a ceasefire that would include the release of hostages captured by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023.