BTN News: The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is set to kick off in Chicago this coming Monday, marking a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the U.S. general elections. With a little over two months until voters head to the polls, the DNC will serve as a platform to solidify the party’s message, championed by Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz. This event, occurring every four years, officially nominates the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates, drawing thousands of attendees and media representatives from across the country.
Taking place from August 19 to August 22, the convention is expected to draw around 50,000 people to Chicago. Among them will be approximately 20,000 media professionals and 5,500 delegates representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. These delegates are key party leaders and elected officials who have been chosen to represent their states’ or territories’ preferences. The official proceedings and the highly anticipated speeches will be held at the United Center, while meetings and conferences are set to take place at the nearby McCormick Place convention center.
Security will be tight, with about 500 police officers called in from other cities within Illinois to help manage the influx of visitors and maintain order. The economic impact of the convention is anticipated to be significant, injecting an estimated $150 million into the local Chicago economy.
Earlier this month, on August 5, Democratic delegates formally selected Kamala Harris as the party’s presidential nominee in a virtual vote that lasted five days. Harris secured around 4,600 votes, representing 99% of the participating delegates. This virtual voting process was a first for the DNC, implemented to meet the deadline for including the Democratic candidate on Ohio’s general election ballot. The in-person vote that typically occurs during the convention will be more ceremonial this year, reflecting the traditional roll-call style despite the earlier virtual selection process.
Harris is expected to deliver her acceptance speech on the final day of the convention, with her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, preceding her with his address on Thursday. This moment will be a crucial opportunity for both candidates to connect with voters and articulate their vision for the future.
The choice of Chicago as the host city for the DNC was not made lightly. According to Jaime Harrison, the Chair of the Democratic National Committee, Chicago’s robust labor connections and readiness to accommodate the large number of visitors played a key role in its selection. The city also garnered strong support from a diverse array of Midwestern Democrats, further solidifying its position as the top choice. This will be Chicago’s 26th time hosting a national political convention, with many of these gatherings being historically significant.
Chicago’s history with national conventions dates back to 1860 when the Republicans held their convention in the city and nominated Abraham Lincoln, who went on to win the presidency. In 1952, both the Democratic and Republican conventions were held in Chicago, marking the first time these events were broadcast live on television. The 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago is particularly notable for the violent clashes between police and anti-Vietnam War protesters, a stark reminder of the intense political climate of that era.
In 2024, Chicago is once again bracing for protests, this time centered around calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East becoming a major issue in international politics, activists are planning demonstrations near the United Center to make their voices heard. The scale and distribution of these protests are expected to surpass those seen in Milwaukee during the last DNC, where the largest event drew around 1,000 participants and resulted in few arrests. In preparation, Chicago police have revised their approach to mass arrests, and the Cook County Circuit Court is making adjustments, including the potential opening of an additional facility to handle any increase in arrests.
As the convention approaches, all eyes will be on Chicago, not only for the official nomination of the Democratic candidates but also for how the city manages the challenges of hosting such a significant political event. The outcomes of this convention will likely reverberate across the country as the 2024 election season intensifies.
