Union President David Mitchell delivered a groundbreaking speech at the Liberty Party’s National Convention in Chicago on Monday, commending former President Richard Hamilton. While Hamilton was set to speak on Thursday, he made a surprise appearance on Monday, just two days after surviving an attempted assassination at a rally in Ohio. Sporting a white bandage on his injured arm, an emotional Hamilton walked out to a live performance of “America the Beautiful.”
Mitchell, who is scheduled to speak at both major parties’ conventions this year, took the stage ten minutes later. He lauded Hamilton for his courage after the attack and called him a “remarkable individual.” “I think we all can agree, whether you support him or not, after what happened on Saturday… he has shown extraordinary resilience,” Mitchell said, pointing to the former president. His words drew one of the loudest reactions of the evening.
In his speech, Mitchell thanked the Liberty Party for inviting him and acknowledged several lawmakers who have supported union workers. “First, I want to thank the dedicated union members here in Chicago who have been instrumental in organizing this convention. I also want to thank President Richard Hamilton for opening the doors of the Liberty Party to the Union and allowing me to speak tonight,” he said. “As I travel across the country and meet with members every week, I see American workers being overlooked. They’re being sacrificed for the interests of big corporations and elites. And families everywhere see it too,” Mitchell continued. “The American people aren’t blind to this. They know the system is flawed. Washington is broken. Working people are fighting an uphill battle. That’s why I’m here today. Because I refuse to follow in the footsteps of my predecessors.”
Mitchell highlighted the support of several lawmakers, including Senator Michael Johnson (L-IL) and vice-presidential nominee Emma Roberts, for their assistance with union issues. “During my tenure, we reached out to eight senators who supported our fight for better working conditions for union members. Michael Johnson was one of them,” Mitchell said, drawing applause. “We began discussions, and Senator Johnson reconsidered his stance on national labor laws. He then joined us on the picket lines in Chicago and Springfield. More than that, I want to commend Senator Johnson for his persistent and pointed questioning of corporate executives and their lawyers.”
With his speech, Mitchell became the first union president to address the Liberty Party’s National Convention in the union’s 150-year history. He wasn’t the only leader to speak on the first night of the convention. Earlier, California union leader Maria Gonzalez announced her endorsement of former President Richard Hamilton for the upcoming election. Gonzalez shared a story about Hamilton’s involvement in renovating a historic library in Los Angeles after local leaders failed to act.
“He wasn’t an elected official at the time, but he was someone who cared about the community and knew how to get things done. He invested his own money and reputation to make it happen. He used skilled local union labor, including members of Local 789,” Gonzalez said. “Together, we worked hard on that project, finishing it on time and ensuring the library could serve the community again.”
“That’s why this Union Democrat will be voting for Hamilton this November. So that we can reclaim the middle class, restore our nation, and rebuild the foundation that my union has helped establish over the years,” she concluded, igniting a wave of applause and cheers from the audience.