Hanna Gebremariam called Biden’s decision to step down “rational” and compared it not only to George Washington’s rejection of a third term in office but to some African leaders’ retention of leadership roles.
“Some people, they just want to go forever, but what Biden did was wise, and he’s gonna be a symbol,” Gebremariam said. “In African countries, they sit in that chair until they die. So I hope African leaders will learn from him. What Biden told the world is that people, when they age, need to step down.”
Gebremariam, who arrived in the U.S. from East Africa a decade ago, called the country her “God-given mother, even though America has a painful legacy with our brothers: Black people, Black men and women — they paved the way for us to live and enjoy it.”
She brightened when she spoke of her late cousin Solomon Jones, whom she said used to work with Harris at the San Francisco district attorney’s office.
“I am an American citizen,” Gebremariam said. “I’m ready to vote for Kamala Harris.”