“We will not turn back”

Kamala Harris officially accepted the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination on Thursday during the national party convention at the United Center in Chicago. “On behalf of all those whose stories could only be written in the greatest nation on earth, I accept your nomination for President of the United States of America,” she posted today on her profile on X.

In her acceptance speech, Harris distanced herself from the policies of her Republican rival. Donald Trumpand promised to focus on defending democratic values ​​and human rights. Harris accused Trump of wanting to “turn back the clock for America” ​​and warned that the consequences of Trump’s return to the White House would be “extremely serious.”

She pointed to the numerous legal battles Trump is facing and criticized his proposals to give tax breaks to the wealthy. “We know what a second Trump term would look like,” Harris warned, before declaring, “We will not turn back! We will not turn back!” Those words resonated with the thousands of attendees who began chanting the phrase, making it a central slogan of Harris’ presidential campaign.

Immigration reform and focus on the middle class

The current Vice President devoted part of her speech Immigration reformand claimed that the United States could legalize the status of over 11 million illegal immigrants while protecting the border with Mexico. “I believe we can honor our heritage as a country of immigrants and reform our broken immigration system,” Harris told an applauding crowd.

In her speech, Harris also touched on her roots and the journey that led her to become a lawyer, prosecutor, and now the second most powerful person in the country. She used that history to build a connection with the middle class and the less fortunate. “The middle class is my home, and it will be a fundamental focus of my presidency,” she said, underscoring the importance of rebuilding that sector as a cornerstone of her administration. Harris also emphasized her commitment to uniting the nation through common goals and overcoming the divisions that have characterized the past few years.

Foreign policy

Regarding foreign policy, the Democratic candidate reiterated her support for Ukraine and her goal of strengthening international alliances. “As president, I will stand firmly with Ukraine and our NATO allies,” she said, stressing her intention to confront any threat to stability in Europe. “I will not be kind to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong-un who hope Trump will win,” she said.

The conflict in Gaza was another central theme of her speech. Harris expressed her unwavering support for Israel’s right to self-defense while acknowledging the humanitarian situation caused by the war in the region. Harris concluded her speech with a call for unity and progress, pledging to be a president who leads the country to a more inclusive and prosperous future. “I will be a president who unites us around our highest goals. A president who leads and listens,” she affirmed.

Born to a Jamaican father and Indian mother, Kamala Harris has already made history as the first woman and person of African-American and South Asian descent to hold the office of Vice President. Now she is aiming to break another barrier by becoming the first female President of the United States.

Reactions from leading democratic figures

Hours before her acceptance speech for the nomination, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden spoke to Harris to express her support. “Jill and I just spoke with Kamala Harris. We look forward to her accepting this historic nomination. Kamala and Tim (Walz) will inspire a generation and lead us into the future,” Biden wrote in a message on X, accompanied by a photo of him and his wife holding a phone while watching the convention broadcast on television.

“Tonight, Kamala Harris showed the world what I believe to be true. She is ready to be President from day one and represents the best of America. Let’s get to work,” wrote Barack Obama on X.

“What an inspiring and historic night, a true representation of what it means to be an American! Kamala Harris delivered a passionate and powerful speech tonight that showed the country and the world that she is ready to lead us forward. She did her part with grace, strength and determination. And now it’s up to us, regardless of our political identity, to do the same,” wrote one enthusiastic Michelle Obama on the same platform. “Each of us must do what we know in our hearts is right. We must vote as if our lives depended on it. We must mobilize our neighbors and communities. And we must start now. Let’s not wait. We must not let this momentum break,” she added.

“The future is already here. We just have to open it up,” wrote Hillary Clinton succinctly on X, along with a picture of the Democratic candidate. Former President Bill Clinton Clinton also spoke, reiterating his support for Harris and stressing the importance of the upcoming election. “Leadership matters. Elections matter. And Kamala Harris is the leader who can unite us and move us forward,” Clinton said.

With less than two and a half months to go before the November 5 election, Kamala Harris faces the challenge of consolidating voter support and convincing the American nation of her ability to lead a deeply divided country.