[현장] Harris’ victory speech: “We will not stop fighting”… Supporters: “Time to pray for America”

Vice President Kamala Harris is giving a presidential election acceptance speech at Howard University in Washington, D.C. on the 6th (local time). AP Yonhap News

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running as the Democratic presidential candidate, entered the stage set up on the Howard University campus in the north of Washington, D.C., on the afternoon of the 6th (local time) to give a presidential acceptance speech. The eyes of supporters with somewhat stern expressions were all focused on Vice President Harris. When Vice President Harris said, “It is not the result we wanted and it is not the result we aimed for when voting, but we must accept it,” applause and sighing erupted from the audience.

Standing on the campus of her alma mater, a historically black public university (HBCU), Vice President Harris said in a phone call with Republican candidate President-elect Donald Trump, “I said I would help with the transition of power and be involved in the peaceful transfer of power.” He said, “The basic principle of American democracy is to accept the results when you lose an election, and this principle is what distinguishes democracy from monarchy or tyranny.” This is a remark aimed at President-elect Trump, who refused to accept his defeat in the 2020 presidential election.

He continued, “In the United States, we are loyal not to the president or political party, but to the Constitution, conscience, and God.” “I accept this election (result), but I do not acknowledge defeat in the fight for freedom, opportunity, fairness, and dignity.” “We will not give up the fight for the ideals that reflect the best of America.”

He also said he had something special to say to the youth, saying, “Fights often take time, but that doesn’t mean we can’t win,” adding, “It’s never been like that before, so don’t believe those who say it’s impossible.” This is interpreted to mean that while appeasing supporters who are disappointed with the results of the presidential election, they will not slow down the reins of surveillance and checks on President-elect Trump when he returns to power in January of next year.

At the end of his speech, he seemed to have concerns about Trump’s second term in mind, saying, “I know many people feel that we are entering a dark age. There is a saying that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.” “Let us fill our skies with billions of stars shining with optimism, faith, truth and service,” he said.

Vice President Harris ended his speech on an optimistic tone, but the mood of supporters was somber. Five or six citizens the reporter spoke to declined to be interviewed, saying, “We are still thinking about the results” and “We have not organized our thoughts.” There were several people who left after saying simply, “It’s time to pray for America.” It was also noticeable that people watched the consecration speech with tears in their eyes, and volunteers hugged and comforted each other.

Spencer Thomas, a male student in his final year at the university, said he was disappointed with the vote count results, but “I wasn’t surprised.” When asked why, he said, “It was a competition between a black woman and a white man, so she was at a disadvantage from the beginning,” and added, “When the day comes when that barrier breaks down, I will also stand by.”

Supporters expressed concern about Trump’s second term, saying, “It will further divide America” ​​and “It will run rampant without guardrails.” An Asian female lawyer who supports undocumented immigrants said she was concerned that the government would implement stronger deportation measures than during Trump’s first term. “It’s hard to even imagine how my clients are feeling right now.” A white woman in her 60s and a pediatrician said, “I hope America doesn’t backslide, but I’m honestly worried,” adding, “I think it will take a long time to restore democracy, just as we fought for a long time for voting rights and the elimination of plutocracy.”