Harris vows to defeat Trump as Democratic National Convention opens | News

appeared Kamala Harris The US Vice President made a surprise appearance at the opening of the Democratic National Convention on Monday evening, where she vowed to defeat her Republican rival. Donald Trump In the presidential election scheduled for November, shortly after demonstrators breached the security barrier around the conference site in protest at American support for Israel in the Gaza war.

“Let's fight for the ideals we hold dear, and let's never forget: When we fight, we win,” Harris, who will be the party's official nominee to challenge Trump, said in a brief speech that drew cheers from the crowd, praising the president. Joe Biden“We are forever grateful to him,” she said.

“I want to start by celebrating our incredible President Joe Biden. Joe, thank you for your historic leadership and a lifetime of service to our nation,” she said.

Biden's speech

Biden will deliver a keynote address to the conference later today, concluding his political career, before withdrawing to make way for Harris to be nominated as the party's presidential candidate in November.

During a brief technical test on stage in Chicago, Biden told reporters, “I'm ready to pass the torch.”

Less than a month after his surprise withdrawal from the race and Harris's dramatic rise, Democrats are honoring the president with a tribute befitting his long years in politics, with the same officials who helped push him out because of concerns about his health and age participating.

Biden, 81, is expected to assert that Harris, the first black woman of South Asian descent to serve as vice president, is best placed to carry out the task he has undertaken in his only term to protect American democracy from the threat of Trump.

First lady Jill Biden, 73, will take the stage in Chicago ahead of her husband, who will be introduced by his daughter Ashley.

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden “looks forward to speaking about the historic successes he has achieved for our country with the vice president.”

Despite the honor, the withdrawal will inevitably have a bitter taste for the president, who has watched Harris rise to the top of Trump, even surpassing him in some opinion polls, and the wave of enthusiasm that has swept the Democrats, something he was unable to achieve during his candidacy.

The president's remarks will be an introduction to Harris, who will deliver her acceptance speech on Tuesday, something the president was preparing to do in person just a few weeks ago.

Biden will not stay for his vice president's speech, but will return immediately after his speech to begin a six-day vacation in California, while the convention continues without him.

The latest RealClearPolitics poll shows Harris with 48.1% of voters' support, compared to 46.7% for Trump, a 1.4% lead.

Anti-Biden Protests

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated in Chicago on Monday as Biden arrived to attend the opening of the Democratic National Convention, in protest of his administration's support for Israel in the Gaza war.

Reuters reported that demonstrators breached the security barrier surrounding the conference site, where thousands took to the streets to denounce the US administration's support for Israel in its war on Gaza, prompting security forces to rush to the site and intervene.

“Law enforcement personnel are currently on scene and we will provide more information as it becomes available,” a Chicago City spokesperson said.

As the crowds of protesters advanced, dozens of breakaway protesters tore down parts of the security fence. Some protesters, dressed in black and covering their faces, dragged pieces of the fence to a park near the convention site at the United Center in Chicago.

Members of the crowd chanted, “End the occupation now” and “The whole world is watching,” just as anti-Vietnam War protesters did at the 1968 Chicago conference when police clashed with demonstrators on live television. Officers wore gas masks as some protesters tried to pull down another fence set up in front of the police.

“Biden, you can't hide. We charge you with genocide,” protesters chanted amid drumbeats. They also called him “Genocide Joe” and made similar slogans against Harris.

Protesters said their plans had not changed since Biden dropped out of the race and the party quickly rallied behind Harris, who will formally accept the Democratic nomination this week. Activists said they were ready to amplify their progressive message to Democratic leaders.

“We have to do our part to stop the genocide, end U.S. aid to Israel, and support the Palestinian people,” said Hatem Abudayyeh, spokesman for the Democratic National Convention March coalition, which includes more than 200 groups.