Tuesday (May21) VP Harris delivered a fiery keynote address at the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Quadrennial Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Throughout her speech, SEIU members chanted “Four more years”, drowning out a group of about 30 protesters calling for a cease-fire between Israel and Gaza (NYT report by Nicholas Nehamas).
Listen, SEIU, we are here today because we are clear-eyed about the stakes of this moment.
Across our nation, we see full-on attacks on hard-fought freedoms and rights: the freedom to vote, the freedom to organize, the freedom to be safe from the horror of gun violence, the freedom from hate and bigotry, the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride, the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body, and not to have her government tell her what to do. (Applause.)
In this moment — in this moment, extremists are trying to divide our nation. And we see them as they encourage xenophobia and hate.
Just yesterday, the former President of the United States, who praises dictators, who said there were “very fine people” on both sides in Charlottesville —
Audience: Booo —
The Vice President: — let’s not forget — took to social media and highlighted language from Nazi Germany — highlighted language from Nazi Germany.
This kind of rhetoric is unsurprising coming from the former President, and it is appalling. And we got to tell him who we are. (Applause.)
And once again, it shows our freedoms and our very democracy are at stake.
Watch the full speech here:
VP Harris remarks begin at 5:25 minutes
While in Philadelphia, VP Kamala Harris met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada.
And of course, always a supporter of small businesses and a lover of good food, VP Harris stopped off at Jim’s West Original Steaks and Hoagies:
In conjunction with her Nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour, VP Kamala Harris did an interview with Maverick Carter.
Here’s the full interview. Check it out. It’s a great conversation.
May 22-24, Vice President Harris participated in events surrounding the State visit of President William Ruto of Kenya. While much of the focus in the news has been on Kenya’s commitment to sending a police force to Haiti (a controversial plan to many), the focus here will be on VP Harris’ vision of a new relationship between the United States and the continent of Africa. Vice President Harris is the leader in the Biden-Harris administration on Africa policy.
On Friday (May 24) Vice President Harris participated in a conversation with President Ruto, hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and moderated by U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman.
An excerpt from VP Harris’ remarks:
I strongly believe that we are at a moment where we should revisit and upgrade and update the narrative of the relationship between the United Staes and the continent of Africa.
When you think about the continent, the median age is 19 years old — 19. It is predicted that by 2050, one in four people occupying space on Mother Earth will be on the continent of Africa.
So, when I think of it just from that perspective, many could argue that the future is on the continent of Africa. (Applause.) Yes.
I also think — and I’ll speak very candidly here — that we have to revisit and revise the narrative around the relationship in a way that ours, the role of the United States, should not be one of benevolence but of thinking of the relationship in the context of partnership.
Frankly, as Vice President — and I say this as a devout public servant — sadly, often our strategy around foreign policy is based on the crisis of the moment. And part of how I think about the future and the imperative of the relationship with African nations is based on a vision that public policy be formed and implemented now based on a vision for the next 10, 20 and 50 years.
It’s an inspiring conversation. I recommend giving it a listen.
In the afternoon, VP Harris and Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken hosted a State luncheon in honor of President Ruto and First Lady Ruto.
Part of VP Harris’ toast:
So, I strongly believe that African ideas and innovations will have a significant impact on the future of the entire world — a belief driven in part by the extraordinary creativity, dynamism, and energy of young African leaders.
And fueled, then, by that sense of optimism, last year, I had the good pleasure of visiting the continent for a weeklong trip.
The goal of the trip was to highlight and strengthen our partnerships in government, in business, and in the civil society; to increase private-sector investment; to revise and upgrade the U.S.-Africa narrative, which is long overdue; and to bring fresh focus to the innovation and ingenuity that is so prevalent across the continent of Africa.
And at the end of that trip, I was convinced more than ever: The continent of Africa represents the future of our world. (Applause.) And I will add: Any leader that ignores the continent of Africa is doing so at their own peril. (Applause.)
Keeping her promises, also on Friday, May 24, Vice President Harris announced Public and Private Commitments to Advancing Digital Inclusion in Africa.
During the State visit, Vice President Harris met with Five women governors of Kenya.
And, on a further positive note, it looks like the press is finally waking up to what others of us, who follow VP Kamala Harris, have known for a long time www.bloomberg.com/...:
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Vote and GOTV. “When we fight. We win!” — VP Kamala Harris