The four-day Democratic National Convention began in Chicago on Monday, which saw the party's presidential candidate Kamala Harris make a surprise appearance. President Joe Biden, who ended his reelection campaign, also appeared at the convention and received an emotional standing ovation when he came on stage.
Harris, while acknowledging an enthused crowd, thanked President Joe Biden in her first remarks. "I want to kick us off by celebrating our incredible President Joe Biden," Harris said. "Thank you for your historic leadership, for your lifetime of service to our nation and for all you will continue to do. We are forever grateful to you," Harris said. She also urged the audience to fight for "ideals we hold dear".
The convention, which will see over 4,000 delegates attending it, will recognise Harris as the Democratic nominee and approve the party's platform. The convention runs through Thursday.
President Biden, introduced by his daughter Ashley, began his speech by thanking First Lady Jill Biden. He recalled his inauguration four years ago, stating he "swore an oath to you and to God to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and to faithfully execute the office of the president of the United States. "
"In front of me was a city surrounded by the National Guard. Behind me, a Capitol — just two weeks before — had been overrun by a violent mob. What I knew then from the bottom of my heart that I knew now, there is no place in America for political violence. None. You cannot say you love your country only when you win,” Biden said, adding that democracy has prevailed. "Democracy has delivered. And now Democracy must be preserved,” Biden said.
The first lady had earlier praised the President for his decision to seek reelection no longer and endorse Kamal Harris. "With faith and conviction, Joe knows that our nation’s strength doesn’t come from intimidation or cruelty, it comes from the small acts of kindness that heal deep wounds, from service to the communities that make us what we are, from love of a country that shines with promise and renewal. Kamala Harris knows that too," the first lady said.
“With faith and conviction, Joe knows that our nation’s strength doesn’t come from intimidation or cruelty, it comes from the small acts of kindness that heal deep wounds, from service to the communities that make us what we are, from love of a country that shines with promise and renewal. Kamala Harris knows that too,” the first lady said.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also delivered a rousing speech where she acknowledged the crowd chanting anti-Trump chants of "Lock him up!"
"Donald Trump fell asleep at his own trial, and when he woke up, he made his own kind of history — the first person to run for president with 34 felony convictions!" Clinton told the crowd.
She added that the future was here. "I wish my mother and Kamala’s mother could see it,"
On a woman running for President, Clinton added: "The story of my life and the history of our country is that progress is possible. But not guaranteed,” said Clinton, who was the first woman nominated to lead a major party’s presidential ticket. “We have to fight for it. And never, ever give up."
