Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on Friday showered praise on the wave of protests sweeping the country and urged party faithful to set their sights on elections to come.

“After the primaries we came together as a party to write the most progressive platform in history,” she said in a video message posted on the Democratic Party's Twitter account. “Ideas we championed are now inspiring leaders and activists across our country.”

“And everywhere people are marching, protesting, tweeting, speaking out and working for an America that’s hopeful, inclusive and big-hearted,” she added.

The remarks came a day before Democrats are expected to elect their party’s next chair. That election is largely seen as an indicator of the future direction of the Democratic Party, which finds itself divided between an increasingly progressive wing and its more moderate establishment wing.
Clinton’s video message stressed party unity and a plea to focus on securing electoral wins in next year’s midterm elections.

“We as Democrats must move forward with courage, confidence and optimism, and stay focused on the elections we must win this year and next,” she said. “Let resistance plus persistence equal progress for our party and our country.”