Yesterday, the Democratic National Convention (DNC) began in Chicago, where U.S. President Joe Biden officially handed over the party’s presidential nomination to Vice President Kamala Harris.
According to CNN, the Democratic mood is significantly different from a month ago, when the party was deeply divided, and there was growing pressure on Biden to withdraw from the November presidential race.
In his 51-minute speech, Biden argued that Harris is the “best person to continue his work” and stressed that “the fight against Trumpism is not over yet.” Reflecting on his 50-year political career, he said, “I made many mistakes, but I gave my best,” as delegates stood and applauded, chanting his name.
For the first time in decades, the Democrats gave a platform to pro-Palestinian activists, while outside, protesters clashed with the police.
Biden was the only speaker who extensively addressed Israel and Gaza, mentioning the Israelis killed on October 7 and the civilians currently being killed in Gaza. He said, “These protesters in the streets are right,” and added, “Many innocent people are being killed on both sides.” Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez also touched on the topic, while most other speakers avoided it.
Meanwhile, thousands of protesters filled the streets outside the convention, and pro-Palestinian activists held a panel earlier in the day and displayed a banner demanding that the U.S. government “stop arming Israel.”
