**Watch Kamala Harris’ full speech in the video above.**
In front of a crowd where dejection and sadness can be seen on their faces, Kamala Harris acknowledged her defeat against Donald Trump on Wednesday, while promising her supporters to “continue to fight”, in a speech with a rather combative tone.
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“We will help (Donald Trump) and his team in the transition and we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power” assured the outgoing vice-president, in the imposing setting of her former university, the historically black institution of Howard in Washington .
“We must accept the results of this election,” said the unhappy Democratic candidate, soundly defeated by the Republican president at the end of an extremely tense campaign.
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His voice shook at the end of his speech. She was joined on stage by her very emotional husband Doug Emhoff, who was very involved in the campaign.
AFP
«Who runs the world?»
Behind her, in front of high brick walls and imposing colonnades, huge American flags, inflatable blue, white, red balloons… all the decor of the party that will never take place.
The day before, his supporters who came to celebrate were stunned by the rapid succession of results favorable to Donald Trump in the decisive states.
Many of them put on their campaign t-shirts on Wednesday. “Dear Madam President,” anachronistically proclaims that of a young girl hiding behind sunglasses.
AFP
“Who rules the world? Les femmes (Who runs the world – Girls)” by Beyoncé, support of the Democrat, resonates through the speakers some time before the arrival of the vice-president on the large platform in the middle of the lawn and university buildings. But obviously no one takes up the chorus.
“I recognize my defeat, but I am not giving up the fight,” said Kamala Harris, referring in particular to the right for women “to make decisions about their own bodies.”
AFP
Thomas Spencer, a student at Howard, judges that his champion is “strong in defeat” and believes that she led a “fantastic” campaign.
“Painful”
“The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for,” she said, asserting that the “light of the promise of “America will always shine (…) as long as we don’t give up and we keep fighting.”
“I know many feel like we are entering a dark period, but for all of our sakes, I hope that is not the case,” said Kamala Harris.
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“A lot of people are feeling uncertain, and I’m just going to hope for the best,” said Shannon Bacon, met in the crowd.
“To all those watching, do not despair. Now is not the time to give up. It’s time to roll up your sleeves. This is the time to organize, mobilize and stay committed to the fight for freedom and justice,” said the former California prosecutor, the second woman defeated in a race for the White House by Donald Trump after Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Olivia Talbot, who came to listen to Kamala Harris, was a fervent supporter of Hillary Clinton. “Seeing this repeated is terribly painful,” she said.
