Skip to main content

'I learned to talk again': Gabrielle Giffords calls for gun control during DNC speech


Former Arizona Representative Gabrielle Giffords took to the podium at the Democratic National Convention to call for tighter controls on guns.

Giffords, a mass shooting victim, continued a theme of lives affected by gun violence that ran throughout the last day of the convention and was preceded by a group of gun violence survivors.

"I learned to walk again, one step at a time. I learned to talk again, one word at a time," Gifford said.

Giffords survived an assassination attempt in 2011 that left six people dead and 13 injured, including Giffords. Giffords suffered a traumatic brain injury that forced her to retire from the House.

Giffords is the wife of Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, who joined her at the podium, kissing her after mentioning that she, "fell for an astronaut."

Watch Gabby Gifford's full DNC convention speech

play
Watch Gabby Giffords full speech at Democratic convention
Gabby Giffords, former congresswoman and gun control activist, spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

DNC Day 4: Live coverage of speaker schedule, Kamala Harris to take the stage

What to know about Gabby Giffords

  • Who she is: Former Representative for Arizona's 8th Congressional District
  • What role she plays: Convention speaker, gun violence survivor
  • Key quote: "Kamala can beat the gun lobby and she (can) beat gun trafficking."

When and where is the DNC

The Democratic National Convention will take place from August 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois.

The United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, will be the main venue for the DNC.

Chicago has hosted the Democratic Convention 11 times, most recently in 1996 when the United Center saw President Bill Clinton was nominated for a second time.

How to watch and stream the 2024 DNC

Paste BN will provide livestream coverage on YouTube each night of the DNC, Monday through Thursday.

The convention will air live on its website, from the United Center in Chicago between 6:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern (5:15 p.m. to 10 p.m Central) on Monday, and 7 p.m to 11 p.m. Eastern (6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Central) the other days.

What are the themes for each night of the DNC?

The DNC announced nightly themes for the convention. The title of the convention is "For the People, For Our Future."

Here are the themes for each night:

  • Monday: "For the People"
  • Tuesday: "A Bold Vision for America's Future"
  • Wednesday: "A Fight for our Freedoms"
  • Thursday: "For our Future"