Mayor Brandon Johnson energetically welcomed political leaders, Democratic delegates, and attendees to the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on the first night of the convention.
“As a Black man raising a little Black girl on the West Side of Chicago, I know that my daughter Braedyn will see not only a reflection of herself in the White House, but she will also experience the deepest parts of American values,” Johnson said.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is widely expected to secure the Democratic nomination for President. If she wins on Election Day, she would make history as the first woman, and the first person of both Black and South Asian descent to serve as President.
“What will it take to build the middle class and make it easier for families not only to get by but to get ahead?” Johnson asked rhetorically. “It will take someone with the toughness to stand up for us. And let me tell you, America, Kamala’s got it.”
President Barack Obama is expected to speak during the convention on Tuesday evening.
Check out Johnson’s speech below.
TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to the greatest city in the world, Chicago, where Ida B. Wells and Jane Addams organized to deliver real, transformative change across this country.
Where Reverend Jesse Jackson united people from all different backgrounds to keep hope alive, and to a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago, Barack Obama reminded us that, yes, we can, and now Chicago, this city of hard work and caring people, is where Democrats will celebrate President Joe Biden and nominate Kamala Harris for President of the United States of America.
As the son of a family that worked to make ends meet, I know that Kamala Harris, the daughter of a mom who worked hard every single day, she is going to look out for the interest of everyday people. I know that as a fellow former social studies teacher that Governor Tim Walz will never shrink from standing up for a democracy and for those most in need.
As a Black man raising a little Black girl on the west side of Chicago, I know that my daughter Braedyn will see not only a reflection of herself in the White House but she will experience the deepest part of American values.
Think about it. What will it take to build the middle class and make it easier for families not only to get by but to get ahead? It will take someone with toughness to stand up for us. And let me tell you, America, Kamala’s got it. What will it take to defend our fundamental rights and our freedoms?
“It will take someone with leadership who will fight for us. And let me tell you, America leadership, Kamala, she’s got it, and what will it take to defeat MAGA Republicans and move our country forward and not backwards? It will take everyone, and let me tell you all, Kamala, she’s got us. From Mississippi to Pennsylvania to Delaware, Kamala Harris, she’s got us. From Michigan to Wisconsin to Nevada to California, and right here in Illinois, she’s got us.
To the childcare workers, she’s got us and to make sure that this country ensures that families will have access to real, affordable housing to create a pathway to the American dream, Kamala Harris, she’s got us. Together we can build a better, brighter future, and there’s no better place to start that than right here in the greatest freakin city in the world, the city of Chicago.
God bless you all. Thank you.
