"And now, now in this moment our nation needs your leadership once again. In this moment I believe we face a choice between two different visions for our nation. One focused on the future, the other focused on the past; and with your support I am fighting for our nation's future." - Vice President Kamala Harris
This week Vice President Kamala Harris announced her intention to run for President of the United States in the upcoming 2024 election. On July 24, the Vice President addressed thousands of members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated during their international convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. She also ackwowledged the presence of Zeta Sorors Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Dr. Opal Lee. As a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated has a rich legacy of supporting women and children through advocacy efforts. Under the leadership of Dr. Stacie N.C. Grant, the organization has emphasized 'the Power of SHE', which focuses on Social Justice, Health Justice, and Economic Justice round the world.
In the address, the Vice President highlighted the significance of this moment for all Americans and emphasized the necessity of mobilizing voters nationwide. Harris praised the role of historically Black fraternities and sororities in past social justice movements and highlighted the erosion of these efforts in recent years.
"We are witnessing a full on assault on hard fought, hard won, freedoms and rights. The freedom to vote the freedom to be safe from gun violence. The freedom to live without fear of bigotry and hate. The freedom to love who you love openly and with pride. The freedom to learn and acknowledge our true and full history, and the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have her government telling her what to do. In the face of these attacks we must continue to stand together in defense of Freedom."
She proceeded to mention Project 2025, which is a conservative initiative aimed at significantly overhauling the federal government's infrastructure. She described it as "a plan to return America to a dark past". The Vice President proudly declared that "We are not going back!" because "ours is a fight for the future, and ours is a fight for freedom."
Watch the speech below