Democratic National Convention day four as it happened: Kamala Harris accepts party nomination; Pink performs with daughter

Kamala Harris formally accepted the presidential nomination for the Democratic Party on the fourth and final day of the convention in Chicago.

Rewatch her speech in full here:

That concludes our live coverage of the fourth and final day of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. I’m Shelby Garlick, thank you to Farrah Tomazin, Matthew Knott and Stephanie Peatling for their contributions today.

Here’s a quick recap of today’s highlights:

• Presidential candidate Kamala Harris formally accepted the presidential nomination on the fourth and final day of the Democratic National Convention.
• In the biggest speech of her career so far, Harris vowed to restore abortion access to all American women.
• Harris also addressed the situation in Gaza. She said she is working alongside President Biden to establish a ceasefire and that she wants “freedom” for Palestinians.

• Uncommitted delegates, who made it inside the venue after ending their sit-in protest, say they are disappointed that a speaking slot for a Palestinian American was denied.

• Singer Pink performed an acoustic version of What About Us with her daughter, Willow.

• Members of the Exonerated Five, previously referred to as the Central Park Five, addressed delegates where they condemned Trump for calling for their execution decades ago.

For more, check out Farrah Tomazin’s full wrap of proceedings here.

You can also keep up with the latest on the US election and what’s making headlines around the world by signing up for the weekly What in the World newsletter here.

Thanks for joining us. Have a good afternoon.

Earlier today, you may recall that TMZ was reporting Grammy Award-winner Beyoncé would make an appearance at the event.

The tabloid cited “several sources” who confirmed Queen Bey would be the “big surprise performer”. This failed to eventuate.

One of her representatives told the Hollywood Reporter, “Beyoncé was never scheduled to be there.”

Harris did, however, take to the stage as Beyoncé’s hit song Freedom played. The song has featured heavily in Harris’ ad campaign.

While the rumours proved wrong, the crowd was still treated to a performance by Pink and her daughter, Willow. The Chicks performed the national anthem while Kerry Washington, Eva Longoria, and D.L. Hughley made speeches supporting Harris. Fresh off winning gold at the Olympics, Steph Curry appeared in a video in which he threw his support behind the Democratic nominee.

Recap day four in pictures below:

In breaking news, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has withdrawn from the ballot in Arizona.

On Thursday (US time) speculation was rife that Kennedy could drop his independent presidential bid and endorse Republican nominee Donald Trump.

According to his campaign, Kennedy will speak at 2 pm (US time) in Phoenix “about the present historical moment and his path forward. ” Hours later, Trump will hold a rally in neighboring Glendale.

Trump, who had been campaigning in southern Arizona at the US-Mexico border, said that “no plans have been made” for Kennedy to appear with him on Friday. But he noted they would be in the same city at the same time.

On Thursday evening (US time), Trump’s campaign made an unusual announcement, teasing that he would be joined by “a special guest” at his Glendale event.

When he called into Fox News Channel after the Democratic National Convention wrapped, Trump said of Kennedy, “I have no idea if he’s going to endorse me.”

But he noted that they were going to be in the same state and said, “It’s possible we will be meeting tomorrow, and we’ll be discussing it.”

Representatives for Trump’s campaign did not respond to messages about whether Kennedy would be the guest and the Kennedy campaign did not immediately return a message seeking comment if he would be joining Trump.

AP

Pro-Palestinian protests continued in Chicago on the final day of the Democratic National Convention, reflecting the continuing divisions within the party’s base over the war in Gaza.

A large group of protesters outside the Democratic National Convention.Credit: AP

Thousands of protesters marched through Chicago’s streets, some wearing shirts saying “Not In Our Name” and others held signs saying “End US Aid to Israel.”

Video posted on social media showed tense scenes as police pushed protesters back as they tried to march towards the convention venue.

Harris’ presidential opponent, Donald Trump, repeatedly posted during her speech on his favoured social media platform, Truth Social, attacking the content of her speech and her candidacy.

“SHE HAS LED US INTO FAILING NATION STATUS!” Trump said in one post.

In another: “She’s done nothing for three and a half years but talk, and that’s what she’s doing tonight, she’s complaining about everything but doing nothing! She should leave the Speech right now, go to Washington, D.C., close the Border, allow fracking in Pennsylvania and other places, and start doing the things she’s complaining about aren’t done!”

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.Credit: AP

Moments after the speech concluded, Trump called into Fox News, saying without evidence that Harris is “going to give a tax increase of four to five times what people and companies are paying right now”.

The Republican former president and 2024 candidate was in Arizona on Thursday (US time) to visit the US-Mexico border.

After just a little over 40 minutes, a brisk speaking time for such an important speech, Harris has wrapped up her address in Chicago.

“We are the heirs to the greatest democracy in the history of the world, and on behalf of our children and our grandchildren and all those who sacrificed so dearly for our freedom and liberty, we must be worthy of this moment,” she implores those watching.

Harris will now turn her full attention to her campaign.Credit: AP

“It is now our turn to do what generations before us have done guided by optimism and faith, to fight for this country we love, to fight for the ideals we cherish and to uphold the awesome responsibility that comes with the greatest privilege on Earth: the privilege and pride of being an American.”

She concludes: “Let’s fight for it. Let’s get out there. Let’s vote for it, and together, let us write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told. Thank you. God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.”

Red, white and blue balloons fall from the ceiling, and the crowd cheers as Beyoncé’s song Freedom plays again.

Harris has addressed one of the most difficult issues for Democrats in this election cycle: Israel’s war with Gaza.

Harris says that she and Joe Biden have been working “around the clock” to secure a ceasefire and the return of hostages from Gaza.

“Let me be clear: I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself, and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself because the people of Israel must never again face the war that a terrorist organisation called Hamas caused on October 7,” she says.

Then she turns to the plight of civilians in Gaza, saying she wants to see their suffering end so that “the Palestinian people can realise their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination”.

Vice President Kamala Harris outlined her views on foreign policy.Credit: AP

The crowd in Chicago cheered loudly.

Harris earlier outlined her views on foreign policy and national security, presenting herself as a tough prospective commander-in-chief who will take on dictators and work closely with American allies.

“As commander-in-chief, I will ensure America always has the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world,” she says.

“I will make sure that we lead the world into the future on space and artificial intelligence, that America, not China, wins the competition for the 21st century, and that we strengthen, not abdicate our global leadership.”

Harris is speaking at length about a key election issue: abortion rights.

Since the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v Wade judgment in 2022, removing a national right to abortion, the issue has helped mobilise Democratic voters, especially women.

Harris’ speech is resonating with the crowd. Credit: AP

“One must ask, why exactly is it that they don’t trust women?” Harris says of Donald Trump and fellow Republicans who want to limit abortion access.

“Well, we trust women. We trust women, and when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom, as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law.”

Harris has moved on to the policy section of her speech, outlining how her approach to the economy compares to Donald Trump’s.

“I will bring together labour and workers, and small business owners and entrepreneurs and American companies to create jobs, to grow our economy and to lower the cost of everyday needs like health care and housing and groceries,” she says.

“We will provide access to capital for small business owners and entrepreneurs and founders, and we will end America’s housing shortage.”

Trump, she says, “doesn’t actually fight for the middle class” but for fellow billionaires.

Harris has deployed what has become her go-to slogan since becoming the Democratic Party’s nominee.

“America, we are not going back,” she says to chants from the crowd.

“America we are charting a new way forward.”

Harris is trying to paint Republicans as the party of the past, and Democrats as the party of the future.