Democratic Party unity in Brooklyn takes center stage at convention

New York had a huge presence at the Democratic Party Convention in Chicago last week, and Brooklyn was in the middle of the action.

Residents of Brooklyn Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer And Hakeem Jeffries, leader of the Democratic Party in the House of Representatives delivered prime-time speeches that put the district in the spotlight. And that tone was one of unity. “The Republicans want to divide us,” Rep. Jeffries told the roaring crowd. “Let’s build a better future together, together, together for our children and grandchildren.”

Brooklyn brought more than 70 presidential delegates to the convention, including some of the state’s biggest political figures: Attorney General Letitia James, NYC Mayor Eric Adams, and Governor Kathy Hochul. Over 300 delegates from across the state represented New York.

“As the largest county political party in the country, we are a big tent party and one with many different shades of blue ideologies,” said Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party“However, as Democrats, we always stand together, and with the White House up for grabs, the DNC served as a launching pad for our collective fight against the MAGA Republicans.”

Bichotte Heremlyn helped lead the district’s delegation in a “united front” under the slogan “Brooklyn is DNC,” with the goal of putting aside the ideological differences in the diverse district and focusing on a Harris-Walz victory.

Delegates and MPs Jo Anne Simon captured the spirit of putting aside differences for a historic presidential victory: “This convention! This candidate! This team! Sometimes we Democrats have stayed on the sidelines with our differences. Not anymore. Democrats in Brooklyn are joyfully united for this historic candidate. It’s been a warm, wonderful, joyful week together. Let’s win!”

Hassan Bakiriddin, President of the United Political Association, echoed this sentiment, noting: “What I saw throughout the Democratic Convention was a stark contrast between a future of tyranny and freedom, between diversity and monotony, and between hope and despair. It was an excited and enthusiastic Democratic Party of the future.”

Bakiriddin emphasized the tension surrounding the congress: “Everyone at the DNC really had a blast because from Lil Jon’s surprise appearance to Hakeem Jeffries telling us how to spend our week, we were really excited to support Kamala Harris – something the right wing just can’t stand.

Seamus Campbell, DNC NY delegate and president of the Independent Neighborhood Democrats, spoke of the high morale and energy the convention conveyed. “This convention set the tone for the next 74 days: high morale and energy to go out and make the election of the Harris-Walz candidate.”

“I have always been a Democrat and have never seen so much unity in the Democratic Party. I believe that the energy and unity at this convention will lead to the historic election of Kamala Harris as the first female President of the United States,” said Henry Butler, vice chairman of the Brooklyn Democratic Party And President of the VIDA Political Club.

The common fight forward

Bichotte Hermelyn called the convention’s historic nomination of Harris, the first black presidential candidate, “more than historic,” but said the real fight begins between now and the election.

Brooklyn paved the way for a historic nomination for Harris, with Brooklyn native Rep. Shirley Chisholm becoming the first black woman to run for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Brooklyn’s united front at the convention is “just the beginning of our collective struggle to win the House of Representatives and keep the Senate blue, all under the extremely capable Harris-Walz administration,” added Yamil Speight Miller, executive director of the Brooklyn Dem Party.

The Brooklyn Democratic Party displayed remarkable harmony at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week, highlighting the collective strength and enthusiasm that drives the local party as we work toward national change.

“We will maintain the momentum through November 5. Even though we have left Congress, our shared commitment to promoting a unified, progressive vision across the country remains our focus,” Bichotte Hermelyn completed.