Washington, Nov 6 (EFE) – United States Vice President Kamala Harris said on Wednesday that she accepts her defeat but will not give up the fight after losing the presidential election to former President Donald Trump (2017-2021).
“My heart is full today, full of gratitude for the trust you have placed in me, full of love for our country, and full of resolve,” Harris said.
“The outcome of this election was not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for, but hear me when I say the light of America’s promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting,” she added visibly moved, in a speech at Howard University in Washington from where she is an alumna.
Recalling that she had spoken to Trump by phone earlier, Harris said she would work for a peaceful transfer of power.
“A fundamental principle of American democracy is that when we lose an election, we accept the results,” she said in her speech.
“That principle as much as any other distinguishes democracy from monarchy and tyranny, and anyone who seeks the public trust must honor it,” Harris added, making a veiled reference to Trump, who refused to accept the results in 2020 when he lost to President Joe Biden.
Shortly after midnight on Tuesday, as exit polls began to indicate a loss, the Harris campaign announced that the appearance would be canceled and rescheduled for Wednesday.
In her speech, which lasted just over ten minutes, the Vice President thanked her campaign, her family, President Biden and her running mate, Governor Tim Waltz.
“I am so proud of the race we ran and the way we ran it. Over the 107 days of this campaign, we have been intentional about building community and building coalitions, bringing people together from every walk of life and background, united by a love of country with enthusiasm and joy in our fight for America’s future,” she said.
Harris also vowed to continue fighting for her campaign ideals saying she’ll “never give up the fight for a future (…) where the women of America have the freedom to make decisions about their own body.”
Adding “We will never give up the fight to protect our schools and our streets from gun violence (…) we will never give up the fight for our democracy, for the rule of law, for equal justice, and for the sacred idea that every one of us, no matter who we are or where we start out, has certain fundamental rights and freedoms that must be respected and upheld.”
Trump’s victory was announced early Wednesday after he reached the required 270 electoral votes. EFE
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