DNC 2024 Day 4 live updates: Harris says she will 'fight for America's future'

Harris set her agenda in a rousing speech at the DNC.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Ivan Pereira, Meredith Deliso, Tal Axelrod, and Brittany Gaddy
Last Updated: August 22, 2024, 8:53 PM EDT

The moment that millions around the country have been waiting for took place Thursday at the Democratic National Convention as Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the nomination for the presidency.

Harris took the stage to a roaring standing ovation and soon set her agenda in a rousing speech.

Whether it was immigration, reproductive rights or foreign security, the vice president showcased a sharp contrast in policies to former President Donald Trump.

Harris's speech was preceded by a who's who of leaders from both sides of the aisle who all made the case that she is the best person to be the nation's leader.

Photos: 2024 Democratic National Convention

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Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris takes the stage on Day 4 of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, Aug. 22, 2024.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

    Latest headlines:

    Here's how the news is developing:
    8:39 PM EDT

    Gen Z congressman addresses climate crisis

    Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost, the first Gen Zer elected to Congress, spoke about how Harris and Walz plan to address the climate crisis, including through creating jobs that invest in clean energy.

    Maxwell Frost, the 27-year-old representative from Florida, spoke about climate change on the final day of the Democratic National Convention.
    Maxwell Frost, the 27-year-old representative from Florida, spoke about climate change on the final day of the Democratic National Convention.

    "Fighting the climate crisis is patriotic, and unlike Donald Trump, our patriotism is more than some damn slogan on a hat," he said.

    8:42 PM EDT

    Human-trafficking survivor reflects on Harris' fight for victims

    Courtney Baldwin, a survivor of sex trafficking and now a youth organizer, spoke about how then-California Attorney General Kamala Harris shut down the illicit website that listed her and other victims for sale.

    Baldwin said she yearned for hope during those dark moments when she was able to hold on to pursue her dreams.

    Courtney Baldwin spoke during the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
    Courtney Baldwin spoke during the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

    "Vice President Harris is fearless, compassionate, and she still gives me hope. She's protected people like me her whole life, and I know she'll fight for us all as president," she said.

    8:36 PM EDT

    Healey says she 'can't wait' for September debate

    Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said she can't wait to see Harris "prosecute the case against Donald Trump" during their ABC News debate on Sept. 10.

    Governor of Massachusetts Maura Healey speaks on the fourth and last day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Aug. 22, 2024.
    Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

    8:33 PM EDT

    Democrats continue to lean into prosecutor v. felon theme

    Tonight's speakers include several prosecutors with ties to Harris or even Trump -- including Tristan Snell, who spoke on stage about taking on Trump University fraud.

    "Kamala Harris fought scammers like him. And as president, she will continue to fight for you, for us, for the people," Snell said.

    Democrats see the contrast between Harris the prosecutor and Trump the felon as a winning message.

    This combination of photos shows Vice President Kamala Harris, left, on Aug. 7, 2024, and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump on July 31, 2024.
    Charles Rex Arbogast/AP, FILE

    "It's a beautiful split screen," Maria Cardona, a Democratic strategist and former senior adviser to Hillary Clinton and former communications director for the Democratic National Committee, previously told ABC News.

    "She went after bad people who hurt the people that she was representing and that's exactly what she's doing now," Cardona said.

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