On hand for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week is Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad.
Muhammad tells us the atmosphere is “electrifying” as the party unites behind Vice President Kamala Harris for president. He says the speeches on Monday night reflected both the old and the new of the party.
“It’s just points to a great shift, not only in party politics, but I think that it’s something happening in the entire country where young people are coming forward with their voices to be involved, and not at the back of the line, but are pushing their way to the front of the line,” Muhammad said.
Muhammad says it was good to hear speakers on Monday address the plight of the Palestinians under fire in Gaza. President Joe Biden said in his address protesters outside the convention hall have a point.
Muhammad also appreciates hearing from leaders like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Raphael Warnock, and Hillary Clinton. He compares this convention and campaign to the Barack Obama campaign of 2008.
“I think it’s going to be something that people will look back 20, 30, 40, 50 years later. And those of us who are here to witness it will be able to say we were here.”
Apart from the high-profile addresses in the evening, Muhammad is spending his days in Chicago meeting with other mayors, lawmakers, and policy experts. He’s there as part of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative and attended a climate meeting Monday. Governor Gretchen Whitmer was also going to host a legislative meeting at the convention this week.
Also present at the convention are Berrien County Commissioner Chokwe Pitchford and State Representative Joey Andrews.
Photo: Muhammad with the City of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City of Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley. Taken from Muhammad’s Facebook page.
