Tonight, thousands of loyal supporters, have queued up in the cold to get their free tickets that we re cold to get their free tickets that were given out. They are here tonight, wanting to hearfrom him, a way ahead. For those who did not vote for donald trump, this is an anxious moment. They are seeking reassurance from the man they have seenin reassurance from the man they have seen in the white house for the last eight years. President obamas aides said the speech is notjust for his supporters, but for all americans. Barack obama is now taking to the stage in chicago, lets listen in to his message to the American People. cheering and applause hello, chicago its great to be home thank you, everybody. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much, thank you, thank you. Thank you. Its good to be home. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Where are my tv, ive got to move were on live tv. You can tell that im. You can tell that im a lame duck because nobody is following instructions. Everybody has a seat. Have. My fellow americans. cheering and applause michelle and i have been so touched by all the well wishes that weve received over the past few weeks. But tonight, tonight its my turn to say thanks. Whether we have seen eye to eye, or rarely agreed at all, my conversations with you, the American People, in living rooms and in schools, in farms, people, in living rooms and in schools, infarms, on people, in living rooms and in schools, in farms, on factory floors, diners and on distant military outposts, those conversations are what have kept me honest and kept me inspired and kept me going. And every day i have learned from you. You made me a better president and you made me a better president and you made me a better man. So, ifirst came better president and you made me a better man. So, i first came to chicago when i was in my early 20s, andi chicago when i was in my early 20s, and i will still trying to figure out who i was, still searching for a purpose in my life. And it was the neighbourhood not far from purpose in my life. And it was the neighbourhood not farfrom here where i began working with Church Groups in the shadows of closed steel mills, it was on these streets where i witnessed the power of faith. And the quiet dignity of working people in the face of struggle. And loss. I cant do that. Chanting one more year. But this is where i learned that changed only happens when ordinary people get involved, and they get engaged, and they come together to demand it. After eight years as your president , i still believe that. And its not just my president , i still believe that. And its notjust my belief. The Beating Heart of our american ideal, our bold experiment in Self Government. If the conviction that we are all created equal, in doubt by our creator with certain rights, among them, life, Liberty And The Pursuit Of Happiness its. It is the insistence that these rights, while sales evidence, have never been self executed self evident. That we, the people, through the instrument of our democracy, can form a more perfect union. What a radical idea. A great gift that our founders gave to us. The freedom to chase our individual dreams through our sweat and toil and imagination, individual dreams through our sweat and toiland imagination, and individual dreams through our sweat and toil and imagination, and the imperative to strive together as well to achieve a common good, a greater good. For 240 years, well to achieve a common good, a greater good. For21i0 years, our nations called to citizenship has given work and purpose to each new generation. Is what led patriots to choose fairness of a tyranny. Slaves to brave that makeshift rail road to freedom. It is what pulled refugees across oceans. Its what pushed women to reach for the ballot. Its what empowered workers to organise. To gis gave their lives at omaha beach, as well as those in iraq and afghanistan over. And why men and women all over were prepared to give theirs as well. 2. So, thats what we mean when we say in americas exceptional. Not that our nation has been flawless from the start, but that we have shown the capacity to change. And make life betterfor those who followed. Yes, our progress has been uneven. The work of democracy has always been hard, its always been contentious. Sometimes its been bloody. For every two steps forward, it often feels we take one step back. But the long sweep of america has been defined by forward motion, a co nsta nt defined by forward motion, a constant widening of our founding creed to embrace all, notjust some. Cheering and applause. If i had told you eight years ago that america would reverse a great recession, reboot our Water Industry and unleash the longer Stretch Ofjob creation in our history. Auto longest. If i had told you that we would open up a new chapter with the cu ban people, we would open up a new chapter with the cuban people, sat down wwe Nuclear Weapons programme, and take up Nuclear Weapons programme, and take up the mastermind of 9 11. If i had told you that we would win Marriage Equality and secure a right to Health Insurance for another 20 million of our fellow citizens. Cheering and applause if i had told you all of that, you might have said, our sights you all of that, you might have said, oursights are you all of that, you might have said, our sights are set a little too high. But, thatss what we did. Thatss what you did. You were the change. You answered peoples hopes, and because of you, by almost every measure, americas a better, stronger place than it was when we started. Cheering and applause in ten days, the world will witness a hallmark of our democracy. No, the Peaceful Tra Nsfer of hallmark of our democracy. No, the peaceful transfer of power. From one freely elected president to the next. I committed to President Elect donald trump that my administration would ensure the smoothest possible transition, just as president bush did for me. Because its up to all of us to make sure our government can help us meet the many challenges we still face. We have what we need to do so, we have everything we need to do so, we have everything we need to meet those challenges. After all, we remained the wealthiest, most powerful and most respected nation on earth. 0ur youth, powerful and most respected nation on earth. 0uryouth, drive, diversity and openness, our boundless capacity for risk and reinvention means that the future should be ours. But that potential will only be realised if our democracy works. 0nly will only be realised if our democracy works. Only if our politics better reflects the decency of our people. 0nly politics better reflects the decency of our people. Only if all of us, regardless of Party Affiliation or particular interest, help restore the sense of common purpose that we so badly need right now. Thats what i want to focus on tonight. The state of our democracy. Understand, democracy does not require uniformity. 0ur founders argued, they quarrelled, eventually they compromised. They expected us to do the same. But they knew that democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity. The idea that for all our outward differences, we are all in this together. That will rise or fall as one. There have been moments throughout our history that threatened that solidarity. And the beginning of this century has been one of those times. A shrinking world, growing inequality, demographic change in the spectre of terrorism. These forces haventjust tested our security and our prosperity, but are testing our democracy as well. And how we meet these challenges to our democracy will determine our ability to educate our kids and create jobs and protect our homeland. In other words, it will determine our future. To begin with, our democracy wont work without a sense that everyone has economic opportunity. And the good news is that, today, the economy is growing again. Wages, incomes, home values and Retirement Accou nts incomes, home values and Retirement Accounts are rising again. Poverty is falling again. The wealthy are paying a fair share of taxes, even as the stock market shatters records. The Unemployment Rate is near a ten year low. The Uninsured Rate has never been lower. Applause. Health care applause. Health ca re costs applause. Health care costs are rising at the slowest rate in 50 years. And i have said, and slowest rate in 50 years. And i have said, and i mean it, ifanyone can put together a plan that is better than the improvements we are made to the health care system, that covers as many people at less cost, i will publicly support. Cheering and applause. Because that, after all, is why we serve. Not to score points or take credit, but to make peoples lives better. But for all the Real Progress that weve made, we know its not enough. 0ur progress that weve made, we know its not enough. Our economy doesnt work as well or grow as fast when a feud prosper at the expense of the middle class. That is the economic argument, but stark inequality is also corrosive to our democratic idea. While the top 1 has amassed a bigger share of wealth and income, too many of our families in bigger share of wealth and income, too many of ourfamilies in inner cities and in Rural Counties have been left behind. The laid off factory worker, the waitress or Health Care Worker who is barely getting by and struggling to pay the bills, convinced that the game is fixed against them, that the government only serves the interests of the powerful that is a recipe for more cynicism and polarisation in our politics. Now, there are no quick fixes to this long term trend. Iagree, our quick fixes to this long term trend. I agree, our trade should be fair and not just free, i agree, our trade should be fair and notjust free, at the next wave of economic dislocations wont come from overseas, it will come from the relentless pace of automation that makes a lot of good middle class jobs obsolete. And so we are going to have to forge a new social compact to guarantee all our kids the education they need, to give workers the power to unionise for better wages, to update the Social Safety Net to reflect The Way We Live Now and make more reforms to the tax code so corporations and individuals, who reap the most from this new economy, dont avoid their obligations to the country that has made their very success possible. Cheering and applause. We can argue about how to best achieve these goals. But we cant be complacent about the goals themselves. For if we dont create opportunity for all people, the disaffection and division that has stalled our progress will only sharpen in years to come. There is a second threat to our democracy, and this one is as old as our nation itself after my election there was talk of a post racial america and such a vision, however well intended, was never realistic. Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society. Now, i have lived long enough to know that Race Relations are better than they were ten or 20 or 30 years ago no matter what some folks say. Applause. You can see it notjust in statistics, you see it in the attitudes of Young Americans across the political spectrum. But we are not where we need to be. And all of us have more work to do. If every economic issue is framed as a struggle between a hard working white middle class and an undeserving minority, then workers of all shades are going to be left fighting for scraps while the wealthy have been building their purse. Applause. If we are all im willing to invest in the children of immigrantsjust willing to invest in the children of immigrants just because they dont look like ours, we will diminish the prospects of our own children, because those brown kids will represent a larger and larger share of americas workforce. Cheering and applause. And we have shown that our economy doesnt have to be a zero sum game. Last year incomes rose for all races, all age groups, for men and four women. So, if races, all age groups, for men and fourwomen. So, if we races, all age groups, for men and four women. So, if we are going to be serious about race going forward, we need to uphold laws against discrimination in hiring and in housing and in education and in the criminal justice system. Housing and in education and in the criminaljustice system. That is what our constitution and our highest ideals require. But laws alone wont be enough. Hearts must change. They wont change overnight. Social attitudes oftentimes take generations to change. But if our democracy is to work the way it should in this increasingly diverse nation, then each one of us need to try to heed the advice of a great character in american fiction, atticus finch. He said, you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view. Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it. For blacks and walk around in it. For blacks and other minority groups that means tying our own very real struggle for justice to the challenges that a lot of people in this country face. Not only the refugee or the transgender or the raw pork but also the middle aged white guy who may from the outside seem like he has got advantages but has seen his world upended by economic and cultural and Technological Change rural poor. We have to Pay Attention and listen. For white americans it means acknowledging that the effects of slavery and jim crow didnt suddenly vanish in the 60s. That when minority groups voiced discontent they are notjust engaging in reverse racism or practising political correctness. When they wage peaceful protest they are not demanding special treatment, but the equal treatment that our founders promised. Cheering and applause. For Nativeborn Americans. For Nativeborn Americans it means reminding ourselves that the stereotypes about immigrants today we re stereotypes about immigrants today were said almost word for word about the irish. And the italians, and the poles, who it was said were going to destroy the fundamental character of america. But as it turned out, america. But as it turned out, america was weakened by the presence of these newcomers, these newcomers embraced this nations read and this nation was strengthened. Applause. So, regardless of the station that we occupied we all have to try harder. We all have to start with the premise that each of our fellow citizens loves this countryjust as much as we do, that they value hard work and family just like much as we do, that they value hard work and familyjust like we do. That their children are just as curious and hopeful and worthy of love as our own. And that is not easy to do. For too many of us it has become safer to retreat into our own bubbles, whether in our neighbourhoods or on College Campuses or places of worship, or specially our social media feeds, surrounded by people who look like ours and share the same political outlook and never challenge our assumptions. And the rise of naked partisanship and increasing economic and regional stratification, the splinting of our media into a channel for every taste. All this makes this great sorting seem natural, even inevitable. And increasingly we become so secure in our bubbles that we start accepting only information, whether it is true or not, that fits our opinions, instead of basing our opinions on the evidence that is out there. This trend represents a third threat to our democracy, but politics is a battle of ideas. That is how our democracy was designed. In the course of healthy debate we prioritise different goals and the different means. But without some common baseline effects, without a willingness to admit new information and concede that your opponent might be making a fair point, and that science and reason matter, then we are going to keep talking past each other. And we will make Common Ground and compromise impossible. And isnt that part of what so often makes politics dispiriting . How can elected officials raided our deficits when we propose to spend money on preschool for kids but not when we are cutting taxes for corporations. How do we excuse ethical lapses in our own party at pounds when the other party does the same thing . It is notjust dishonest, this selective sorting of the facts, it is self defeating. Because, as my mum used to tell me, reality has a way of catching up with you. Take the challenge of climate change, in just eight years we have halved our dependence on foreign oil, we have doubled our renewable energy, we have let the world to an agreement that has the promise to save this planet. Cheering and applause. But without bolder action, our children wont have time to debate the existence of climate change. They will be busy dealing with its effects. More environmental disasters, more economic disruptions, waves of climate refugees seeking sanctuary. Now, we can and should argue about the best approach to solve the problem, but to simply deny the problem, not only betray its future generations, it betrays the Essential Spirit of this country, the Essential Spirit of innovation and practical Problem Solving that guided our founders. Cheering and applause. It is that spirit, that spirit born of the enlightenment that made us an economic powerhouse. The spirit that took flight at kitty hawk and cape canaveral. The spirit that he was disease and put a computer in every pocket. It is that spirit, a faith in reason and enterprise, and the primacy of rights over might, that allowed us to resist the lure of fascism and tyranny during the great depression, that allowed us to build a post world war ii depression, that allowed us to build a post world war i order with other democracies, notjust based on Military Power or national affiliations, but built on principles, the rule of law, human rights, Freedom Of Religion and speech and assembly and an independent press. That order is now being challenged. First by violent fanatics who claim to speak for is lahm, first by violent fanatics who claim to speakfor is lahm, more recently by autocrats in foreign capitals who see Civil Society itself as a threat to their power islam. The peril each poses to our democracy is more far reaching than a missile. They represent the fear of change, the fear of people who look or speak or play differently. A contempt for the rule of law that holds leaders accountable, and intolerance of free thought. The belief that the sword or become or the gun or the bomb is the arbiter of what is true and right. Pray. Because of the extraordinary courage of our men and women in uniform, because of our Intelligence Officers and Law Enforcement, diplomats who support our troops, no Foreign Terrorist Organisation has successfully planned and executed an attack on our homeland these past eight years. And although boston, and orlando, and san bernardino, and fort hood we re and san bernardino, and fort hood were victims of dangerous radicalisation, our Law Enforcement agencies are more vigilant than ever. We have taken out Tens Of Thousands of terrorist, including bin laden. Terrorists. The Global Coalition we are taking against isil has taken out a leaders and about half their territory. Islamic state will be destroyed and nobody who threatens america will ever be safe. And all who serve, who have served, it has been the honour of my lifetime to be your commander in chief. And we all owe you a deep debt of gratitude. Cheering and applause but protecting our way of life, thatss not just but protecting our way of life, thatss notjust the job of our military. Democracy can buckle when it gives in to fear. So, just as we, as citizens, must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are. And thats why, for the past eight yea rs, thats why, for the past eight years, ive worked to put the fight against terrorism on a firmer legal footing. Thats why weve ended torture, worked to close guantanamo bay, reformed our laws governing surveillance to protect privacy and civil liberties. Thats why i reject discrimination against muslim americans, who are just as patriotic as we are. Cheering and applause thats why we cannot withdraw from Big Globalfights thats why we cannot withdraw from big global fights to expand democracy and human rights, womens rights, lgbtqi rights. No matter our effo rts rights, lgbtqi rights. No matter our efforts and how expedient ignoring such values may seem, thats part of defending america. For the fight against extremism and intolerance and sectarianism and chauvinism, our peace with the fight against authoritarianism and nationalist aggression, if the scope of freedom and respect for the rule of law threads around the world, the likelihood of war within and between nations increases. 0ur likelihood of war within and between nations increases. Our own freedoms will eventually be threatened. So, lets be vigilant, but not afraid. Islamic state will try to kill innocent people. But they cannot defeat america unless we betray our constitution and our principles in the fight. Rivals like russia or china cannot match our influence around the world unless we give up what we stand for. And turn ourselves into just another big country that boys smaller neighbours. Fights against smaller neighbours. And that brings me to my final point. Our democracy is threatened whenever we take it for granted. All of us, regardless of anything, should be throwing ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions. When voting rates in america are some of the lowest among advanced democracies, we should be making it easier, not harder, to vote. Cheering and applause when trust in our institutions is low, we should reduce the course of influence of money in our politics and insist on the principles of transparency and ethics in public service. When congress is dysfunctional, we should draw our congressional districts to encourage auditions to cater to common sense, and not rigid extremes. But remember, none of this happens on its own. All of this depends on our participation. 0n its own. All of this depends on our participation. On each of us accepting the responsibility of citizenship, regardless of which way the pendulum of power happens to be swinging. 0ur Constitution is a remarkable, beautiful gift. But its really just a piece remarkable, beautiful gift. But its reallyjust a piece of parchment. It has no power on its own. We, the people, give its power. We, the people, give its power. We, the people, give it meaning. With our participation and with the choices that we make. And the alliances that we forge. Whether or not we stand up for our freedoms, whether or not we respect and enforce the rule of law. Thats up us. Up to us. America is no fragile thing, but the gains of our long Journey To Freedom are not as sure. In his own Farewell Address, George Washington wrote that Self Government is the underpinning of our safety, prosperity and liberty. But, from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken to wea ke n quarters, much pains will be taken to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth. And so, we have to preserve this truth with jealous anxiety, that we should reject the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties that make us one. America, we weaken those ties when we allow our political dialogue to become so corrosive that people of good character arent even willing to enter into the public service. The americans with whom we disagree are seen notjust as misguided, but as malevolent. We wea ken misguided, but as malevolent. We weaken those ties when we do find some of us as more american than others. When we write off the whole system as inevitably corrupt. And when we sit back and blamed the leaders we elect without examining our own role in electing them. Cheering and applause it falls to each of us to be those anxious, jealous guardians of our democracy. To embrace the joyous task weve been given, to continually try to improve this great nation of ours. Because, for all our outward differences, we in fact all share the same proud tie. The most Important Office in democracy. Citizen. Citizen. So, you see, thats what our democracy demands. It needs you. Notjust when theres an election, not just it needs you. Notjust when theres an election, notjust when your own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime. If youre tired of arguing with strangers on the internet, try talking with one of them in real life. Laughter and applause if something needs fixing, then lace up your shoes and do some organising. If youre disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, pets and signatures and run for office yourself get some signatures. Show up, dive in. Sometimes youll win, sometimes youll lose. Preserving a reservoir of goodness in other people will be a risk, and there will be times when the process will disappoint you. But for those of us fortunate enough to have been part of this world and to see it up close, let me tell you, it can energise and inspire. And more often than not, yourfaith in america and in americans, will be confirmed. Mine shaw has been. Sure. 0ver confirmed. Mine shaw has been. Sure. Over the course of these eight yea rs, sure. Over the course of these eight years, i have seen the hopefulfaces of young graduates, and of our military officers. I have mourned with grieving families searching for a nswe rs , with grieving families searching for answers, and found grace in charleston church. Ive see our scientists help a paralysed man regain his sense of touch. Ive seen Wounded Warriors who, at points, we re Wounded Warriors who, at points, were given up for dead, walk again. I seen our doctors and volunteers rebuilt after earthquakes and stop pandemics in their tracks. Ive seen the youngest of children remind us, through their actions and through their generosity, of our obligations to ca re their generosity, of our obligations to care for refugees, will work for peace. And above all, to look out for each other or work. So, that face at i placed all those years ago, not farfrom face at i placed all those years ago, not far from here, face at i placed all those years ago, not farfrom here, in the power of ordinary americans to bring about change, that fate has been rewarded in ways i could not have possibly imagined. Andi in ways i could not have possibly imagined. And i hope yourface has, too. Faith. Some of you here tonight or watching at home, you we re tonight or watching at home, you were there with us in 2004 in 2008, 2012. Were there with us in 2004 in 2008, 2012. And. Maybe you still cant believe we pulled this whole thing off. Let me tell you, youre not the only ones. Michelle . Cheering and applause. Michelle robinson, girl of the southside. Cheering and applause. For the past 25 years you have not only been my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend. You took on a roll you didnt ask for andy made it your own with grace and with grit and with style and you made it your own. Cheering and applause. You made the white house a place that belongs to everybody, and a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. So, you have made me proud and you have made the country proud. Maleah and sasha, under the strangest of circumstances you have become two amazing young women. You are smart and you are beautiful, but more importantly you are kind and you are thoughtful and you are full of passion. Cheering and applause. And you bore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. 0f and you bore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that i have done in my life, i am most proud to be your dad. Tojoe biden. Cheering and applause. The scrappy kid who became delawares favourite son, the first decision i made as a nominee, and it was the best, notjust because you have been a great Vice President but because in the bargain i gained a brother, and we love you and jill like family and your friendship has been one of the latest of our lives. To my remarkable, for eight years and for some of you at a lot more, i have drawn from your energy, and every day i tried to reflect back what you displayed heart and character and idealism. I have watched you grow up, get married, have kids, starting credible new journeys of your own. Even when times got tough and frustrating, you never let washington get the better of you. You guarded against cynicism. And the only thing that makes me prouder than all the good that we have done is the thought of all the Amazing Things that you are going to achieve from here. Applause. And all of you out there, every organiser who moved to an unfamiliar town, every kind family who welcomed them in, every volunteer who knocked on doors, every young person who cast a ballot for the first time, every american who lived and breathed the hard work of change, you are the best supporters and organises anybody could ever hope for and organises anybody could ever hope forandi organises anybody could ever hope for and i will be forever grateful. Because you did change the world. You did. And that is why i leave this stage tonight even more optimistic about this country than when we started. Because i know our work has not only helped so many americans, it has inspired so many americans, it has inspired so many americans, especially so many young people out there to believe that you can makea people out there to believe that you can make a difference, to hitch a wagon to something bigger than yourselves. Let me tell you, this generation coming up, im selfish, alljuristic, generation coming up, im selfish, all juristic, creative, generation coming up, im selfish, alljuristic, creative, patriotic. I have seen you in every corner of the country. You believe in a fair and just and inclusive america. You know that constant change has been americas hallmark, that it is not something to fear, but something to embrace. You are willing to carry this hard work of democracy forward. You will soon outnumber all of us andi you will soon outnumber all of us and i believe as a result the future is in good hands. My fellow americans, it has been the honour of my life to serve you. I wont stop. In fact, i will be right there with you as a citizen for all my remaining days. But for now, whether you are young or whether you are young at heart, i do have one final ask of you as your president , the same thing i asked when he took a chance on me eight years ago, i am asking you to believe not in my ability to bring about change, but in yours. I are asking you to hold fast in that faith written into our founding documents, that idea whispered by slaves and abolition is, The Spirit Sung By Immigrants And Homestead is, those who marched forjustice, and homestead is, those who marched for justice, the creed and homestead is, those who marched forjustice, the creed reaffirmed by those who Planted S And Created A Story For Every American whose story is not yet written, yes we can, yes we did, yes we can. Thank you, god bless you, may god continue to bless the United States of america abolitionists. Homesteaders. Thank you. Cheering and applause. Sir, there is barack obama finishing his Farewell Address, the crowd there here inside the Lakeside Convention Centre in chicago giving him applause for the last time as president , and in that speech he laid out what he sees as his legacy, his achievements, getting rid of bin laden, bringing economic stability after time of crisis, but also americas first black president directly addressed the issue of Race Relations. He had a list of subjects he felt could be corrosive to american democracy. He pleaded with americans to understand with one another, to walk in their shoes. He warned against corrosive politics. And he paid tribute to his wife, michelle obama, to his daughters, sasha and malia, he talked about their significance, of those strong women in his life, he said he couldnt be more proud of them and he teared up when he was talking, and the Crowd Chanting at the beginning, four more years, and barack obama beginning, four more years, and ba rack 0bama telling beginning, four more years, and barack obama telling them, i cant. This was his farewell moment. And to his supporters who have doubt in american democracy, worried about the election of the President Elect, donald trump, he had an up to beat and optimistic message, that the document of the american constitution, as he called it, to have faith in this, to have faith in the strength and the great good sense of the American People, especially the young generation coming forward. He paid huge tribute there. But he also made reference to this divisive and bruising Election Campaign that we have had and he warned that the greatest threat of economic dislocation comes not, he said, from trade, but it will come from automation. That this is what will lose the next set ofjobs and will lose the next set ofjobs and will be the next issue that america must deal with. And you can see there is the president with michelle 0bama. There is the president with michelle obama. He is with his daughter, sasha, the older Daughter Mahlia is at harvard, that is why she isnt here tonight, and the president is savouring this moment, this moment that he could sum up his eight years in office, which a white house aide said they hoped would be beyond politics, and he deliberately took the 30,000 ford view, the view of How America Is Making Regressed foot view. He was careful also, careful to warn that there are impediments to americas forward progress, that there are issues that must be dealt with, and he dwelt on the subject of fake news, of people believing what they want to believe, of people being in social media, and he urged americans, if you dont like whats happening, he told them, get out there and organise, and joining me now is danika miller, chicago resident. What did you make of what the president had to say tonight . I think he has been consistent in his message of hope, he was open in his transition to power message, he opened with his accomplishments in eight years as president , and the peaceful and hopeful anticipation to the changes, and to be respectful of what is to come with the President Elect. And to be respectful of what is to come with the President Elect. Did you find his message to be reassuring after what has been such a brutal and divisive election . Yes, indeed. It was kind of like a renewed faith in the American Dream and the american democracy. Just to keep us in a place where, despite their negativity and all of the crazy things that have gone on, to stay focused on all we have accomplished and all that we have done. You were in the wall listening when the crowd was chanting, four more years, and he said, i cant. That is hurtful, but it is the way it is in america. We enjoyed the eight years we had with him. He said it wont be the end of him. He was urging americans, if you dont like what is happening, get out and get organised, because his roots were in chicago as a community organiser. Is that message inspiring . Yes, indeed, an im glad he reminded us we have a chance to make a change. Despite the Little Things we feel like we dont have control over. We can still be proactive in certain things we want to see taking place. It was a good message. Will you miss president barack obama . Yes, yes indeed. The whole first family on his beautiful wife and children, everything about them, they are leaving behind some big shoes to fill. Danika miller, thank you forjoining us. So, that was danika miller, One Ofjust Thousands of people packed inside that hall. So, that is the special coverage from inside the Convention Centre in chicago as president Barack Obama Centre in chicago as president ba rack obama makes centre in chicago as president barack obama makes his Farewell Address to the American People following in a tradition that began with americas very first president , George Washington. Laura, many thanks indeed. We will be here in the studio in london. Lets run through some of the highlights of the final speech from president 0bama the final speech from President Obama to the nation as president. My my fellow americans. Michelle and i have been so touched by all the well wishes we have received over the past few weeks. But, tonight, its my turn to say thanks. Whether we have seen eye to