Kamala Harris Vows to Keep Fighting
Following a shocking yet decisive win for Donald Trump in the presidential election, Vice-President Kamala Harris conceded the race on Wednesday. After calling called Trump to congratulate him on his win, Harris appeared in front of a crowd at Howard University, her alma mater, to deliver her concession speech.
Walking out to “Freedom” by Beyoncé, the vice-president thanked the audience before getting into her speech. “My heart is full today, full of gratitude for the trust you have placed in me, full of love for our country, and full of resolve. The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for,” Harris said. “The light of America’s promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.”
Over the course of her speech, Harris said she was proud of the way she and her team had run their campaign. She thanked her husband, Doug Emhoff; Governor Tim Walz and his wife, Gwen; and President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, for their support. The vice-president also took a moment to thank the people who worked on her campaign, the poll workers, and the election officials.
Harris also acknowledged the somber mood. “Now, I know folks are feeling and experiencing a range of emotions right now. I get it,” she said with a laugh. “But we must accept the outcome of this election. Earlier today I spoke with President-elect Trump and congratulated him on his victory. I also told him that we will help him and his team with their transition and that we will engage in a peaceful transition of power. ”
In her 12-minute speech, Harris encouraged Americans not to throw in the towel and despair. “This is a time to organize, to mobilize, and to stay engaged for the sake of freedom and justice and the future we all know we can build together,” she said.
“There’s an adage a historian once called a ‘law of history,’ true of every society across the ages,” Harris explained. “The adage is, ‘Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.’ I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time, but for the benefit of us all I hope that is not the case. But here’s the thing, America. If it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billion of stars, the light of optimism, of faith, of truth, and service. And may that work guide us, even in the face of setbacks, toward the extraordinary promise of the United States of America.”
Related