CHICAGO, Illinois — The 2024 Democratic National Convention officially begins in Chicago on Monday.
Although President Joe Biden will deliver the DNC keynote address at the United Center on Monday night, hordes of pro-Gaza protesters are expected to make headlines.
At least six pro-Gaza groups are planning demonstrations ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris’ nomination on Thursday. The largest group, the Coalition to March on the DNC, will hold protest marches on Monday and Thursday leading up to the convention itself.
Organizers are busing protesters from every state in the country and expect at least 20,000 participants to attend.
Several pro-Israel groups are planning counter-demonstrations throughout the week, but they are reportedly failing to obtain official protest permits from the city administration.
Some state delegations will also hold their first breakfasts of the week, and the Democratic National Committee caucuses will also hold their first meetings of the convention. At both events, journalists will have access to lawmakers, party officials and strategists for official and behind-the-scenes interviews.
Biden’s speech will focus on the week’s opening theme, “For the People,” and will be followed by remarks from First Lady Jill Biden and former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
“While Donald Trump puts himself first, Democrats fight for the American people. President Biden has exemplified this through his leadership and legacy as a historic president who put the interest of the American people above his own,” DNC officials said ahead of Biden’s remarks. “The successes and results that President Biden has achieved for the people with Vice President Harris at his side will be on full display during the convention, as will Kamala Harris’ commitment to fighting for the good of ordinary Americans. At its core, the Harris-Walz ticket is a ticket for the people.”
Here is a list of everything you need to pay attention to on Monday:
MORNING
March to the DNC protests — around the United Center
Breakfasts of the state delegations — multiple locations
DNC Black Caucus Meeting — McCormick Square
DNC Hispanic Caucus Meeting — McCormick Square
DNC-AAPI Caucus Meeting — McCormick Square
DNC Native America Caucus Meeting — McCormick Square
DNC Ethnic Council Meeting — McCormick Square
AFTERNOON
Welcome reception for South Asian delegates — Kalapriya Centre for Indian Performing Arts
The collective PAC welcome reception — Swissôtel Chicago
Young Dems DNC Welcome Party — Wilma’s BBQ
U.S. Conference of Mayors Luncheon — Marriott Marquis
DNC LGBTQ+ Caucus Meeting — McCormick Square
DNC Labor Council Meeting — McCormick Square
DNC Small Business Council Meeting — McCormick Square
NIGHT
Official 2024 DNC program with speeches by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden — United Center
Benefit concert for the victims of the forest fires on Maui — Harris Theatre
An evening celebrating Black excellence, hosted by the DNC Black Caucus — DuSable Museum of African American History
Reception of the Mayor of Tennessee after the inauguration — Three dots and a line
Post-Gavel Reception hosted by Governor Wes Moore (D-MD) — Chicago Athletic Association
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DNC LGBTQ caucus Party hosted by Equality PAC and stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race — BoysTown (North Halstead)
