(CNN) New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand delivered a speech Sunday in front of Trump International Hotel, kicking off her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination after formally joining the race earlier this month.

"The people of this country deserve a president worthy of your bravery," Gillibrand said. "A president who not only sets an example, but follows yours. Your bravery inspires me every day, and that is why I'm running for president of the United States."

At Sunday's event, Gillibrand referred to the Trump building next to her as "a shrine to greed, division and vanity," and criticized President Donald Trump at length, calling him a "coward."

"He demonized the vulnerable, and he punches down," she said. "He puts his name in bold on every building. He does all of this because he wants you to believe he is strong. He is not. Our President is a coward."

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