Key Takes from the Last Night of the Democratic National Convention

United States Vice President, Kamala Harris, has taken a centre stage at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) to formally accept the party’s nomination for the presidency.

As the party nominee, Harris was the keynote speaker on the final night of the four-day convention, held in Chicago, Illinois.

She dedicated her speech to campaign themes like strengthening the middle class and building an “opportunity economy”. She called on voters to help her write “the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told”.

Harris said, "we were underestimated at practically every turn. But we never gave up. Because the future is always worth fighting for. And that’s the fight we are in right now: a fight for America’s future."

Recall that the incumbent Democrat President of United States, Joe Biden, had in late July, withdrawn from the presidential race amid pressure about his age and capacity to lead, clearing the way for Harris to take his spot.

Ever since, Harris has motivated the Democratic base, with polls showing Harris pushing ahead of Republican candidate Donald Trump in key swing states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan.

But her victory lap at the Democratic National Convention has been, at times, overshadowed by protests denouncing US support for Israel’s war in Gaza.

Here are five takeaways from the final day of the convention.

1. Pro-Palestinian protests have been ongoing outside the Democratic National Convention this week, as activists aim to bring attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

More than 40,200 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israel’s actions in the region, with some human rights experts warning of potential genocide and famine.

Tensions peaked on Thursday when organizers made a final, unsuccessful effort to secure a spot for a Palestinian American speaker at the convention. The Democratic National Committee had denied the request the night before, refusing to include a Palestinian American voice in Thursday's lineup.

2. Democrats invoke the ‘American dream’

The highlight of remarks echoed a familiar trope in US politics: the “American dream”.

For instance, Alex Padilla, a senator from California, amped up the crowd early in the night by asking the crowd, “this November, who’s ready to defend the dream?” 

That idea behind the American dream — that US citizens should be able to aspire to freedom and opportunity, no matter their background — was repeated often in on-stage appeals for affordable childcare, healthcare and housing.

Democrats like Senator Elizabeth Warren were not left behind as they took shots at Trump, a real estate tycoon who has faced accusations of racial discrimination at his housing developments.

In 1973, for instance, Trump and his father Fred Trump faced a federal lawsuit that alleged they denied rentals to Black residents in New York. That suit was ultimately settled.

Comedian DL Hughley referenced that incident as he delivered jokes from the convention stage.

“If [Trump] keeps sliding in the polls the way he is, the only way he can keep Kamala out of the White House is if he buys it and refuses to rent it to her,” Hughley quipped.

3. Central Park Five put criminal justice in spotlight

The convention was also graced with star appearances and comments from actors Kerry Washington and Eva Longoria, as well as performances by musical acts like Pink and The Chicks.

The spotlight was however on the arrival on stage of a group of Black and Latino men collectively known as the Central Park Five.

In 1989, a 28-year-old woman was raped and beaten in New York City’s Central Park, leading the police to quickly focus on five teenagers, aged 14 to 16. These teens were Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise.

On Thursday, all but McCray appeared on the Democratic National Committee stage, where they shared their experiences of being wrongfully accused and imprisoned for up to 13 years. They have since been exonerated due to DNA evidence.

They also highlighted Donald Trump's role in the intense public pressure surrounding their incarceration, noting that during their trial, Trump took out full-page newspaper ads calling for the return of the death penalty.

4. Kamala Harris sums it all

To the sounds of Beyonce’s hit song “Freedom”, Harris took the stage to close the convention at the end of the night. She began with a tribute to the outgoing president, Biden

"When I think about the path we have travelled together, Joe, I am filled with gratitude. Your record is extraordinary, as history will show, and your character is inspiring,” she said.

She also told the story of her background and how her childhood values has stuck with her.

“My mother was a brilliant, five-foot-tall Brown woman with an accent,” Harris said. “I saw how the world would sometimes treat her. But my mother never lost her cool. She was tough, courageous, a trailblazer in the fight for women’s health.”

“She taught us to never complain about injustice but do something about it.”

When one of her childhood friends revealed she had been sexually abused, Harris said she became inspired to pursue law as a career. That, she added, eventually brought her to politics.

"Our nation, with this election, has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past — a chance to chart a new way forward. Not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans,” she said.

Harris promised to unify America beyond party lines or affiliation. But some of her most pointed remarks were reserved for Trump, who has attacked her racial identity, looks and intelligence on the campaign trail.

“In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man. But the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious,” she said, assailing him on issues like voting rights and abortion access.

“Consider the power he will have, especially after the United States Supreme Court just ruled that he would be immune from criminal prosecution,” she said, referencing a recent decision to give “presumptive immunity” to all official presidential acts.

“Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails and how he would use the immense powers of the presidency of the United States — not to improve your life.”

Read more: Biden Reflects on Legacy in Emotional Farewell: 'America, I Gave My Best to You'