(Reuters) – The Democratic Party convention, which begins on Monday, will celebrate the nomination of Kamala Harris as the party’s presidential candidate.
The four-day event is expected to draw thousands of people to the city to show their excitement about Harris’ surprise nomination after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race.
While the atmosphere inside the congress hall is like a party, the streets outside are expected to be crowded with protesters unhappy with the democratic government’s support for Israel’s Gaza offensive.
What you need to know:
WHAT IS THE CONVENTION?
The two major U.S. parties hold a convention in each presidential election cycle to officially nominate their candidates and adopt a party platform. The Democrats had already officially nominated Harris in a virtual delegate election last month because they were concerned about access to the ballot in states with early deadlines.
At the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last month, Donald Trump officially nominated and introduced his running mate for vice president: JD (NASDAQ:) Vance, a U.S. senator from Ohio.
WHEN AND WHERE WILL THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION TAKE PLACE?
The convention will take place at the United Center in Chicago from August 19 to 22. Public speeches and keynote sessions will take place each evening from approximately 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. local time (10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. GMT).
HOW CAN YOU WATCH?
The primetime events will be broadcast on all major networks, streaming services such as Hulu, Paramount Plus, Peacock and Max, the DNC’s YouTube and X channels, and various news websites.
WHO ARE THE SPEAKERS?
Biden will open the convention on Monday evening with a bittersweet keynote speech that will serve in some ways as a farewell for a politician who just a few weeks ago was expected to accept his re-nomination as his party’s presidential candidate.
Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton will also speak.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, will introduce himself to Americans on Wednesday night, and Harris will close the convention on Thursday with one of the most significant speeches of her political career.
Monday will focus on the policy successes of the Biden administration, Tuesday will contrast Trump’s and Harris’ visions for America, and Wednesday will highlight the importance of protecting individual liberties.
Thursday’s program, which will culminate in Harris’ acceptance speech, is titled “For Our Future.”
AND THE PROTESTS?
During the congress, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters plan to gather and demand that the US stop its aid to Israel in view of the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The March on the DNC, a coalition of over 200 organizations from across the country, is planning two demonstrations during the event. Those events are expected to take place on Monday and Thursday.
WHAT ABOUT TRUMP?
Trump and Vance will spend the week preparing a counter-program to the Democratic convention with a tour of swing states, including Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Arizona and Georgia.
Republicans have announced their own agenda, similar to those they unveiled during their convention last month. Events on Monday will focus on the economy; on Tuesday on crime and public safety; on Wednesday on national security and on Thursday on immigration.
