On Wednesday, the people of the United States decided not to elect Vice President Kamala Harris as the next president. However, she vowed that her ideals would not end here.
In a concession speech at her alma mater, Howard University, Harris, alongside her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, stated that while she concedes the election, she does not concede “the fight that fueled this campaign,” which includes the fight for women’s rights, anti-gun violence, and “the dignity that all people deserve.”
Many of her supporters on campus displayed clear signs of tears, sadness, and somberness—a stark contrast to the atmosphere on Tuesday night, which had been filled with cheers and hopes of electing the first woman president. Harris, however, encouraged them not to give up, stating, “Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn’t mean we won’t win.”
Despite her loss to Donald Trump, now set to be re-elected as president, Harris congratulated him on his victory and pledged a peaceful transfer of power. She reminded the public that accepting election results, even in defeat, is a core principle of American democracy.
“I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time, but for the benefit of us all, I hope that is not the case. But here’s the thing: America, if it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billion stars … the light of optimism, of faith, of truth, and service,” she said in the final part of her speech.
