2024 Democratic National Convention

U.S. political event

The 2024 Democratic National Convention was an event in which delegates of the United States Democratic Party picked the party's nominees for president and vice president in the 2024 United States presidential election. Vice President Kamala Harris was formally nominated for president while Governor of Minnesota Tim Walz was formally nominated as vice president.

The United Center in Chicago is the site of the 2024 Democratic National Convention
Police and protesters on the first day of the Democratic National Convention

It was held at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois from August 19 to 22.[1][2]

Selection process

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Top Democrats from Illinois such as Governor J. B. Pritzker, Senator Tammy Duckworth, and Mayor Lori Lightfoot supported the city's bid to host the convention.[3] Chicago has hosted the most major-party presidential nominating conventions of any city (14 Republican, 11 Democrat). The 1968 Democratic National Convention had violent protests between anti-war demonstrators and the Chicago Police Department.

Facilities in Chicago that had been mentioned as possible primary venues include the United Center, Wintrust Arena, and Navy Pier.[4] In April 2023, the United Center and McCormick Place were chosen as venues for the convention.[5]

Atlanta, Houston, and New York City were also candidates to host the convention.[6][7]

Security

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In the aftermath of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump on July 13, the Secret Service secured the United Center and the area surrounding it, and the Chicago Police Department secured everything outside the inner perimeter, with both agencies securing rooftops of all buildings that may have had a line of sight to the United Center.[8]

Protests

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Several protests about the Israel-Hamas war took place. Chicago is home to the nation's largest Palestinian neighborhood, also known as "Little Palestine,"[9] and Chicago is the largest American city to pass a cease-fire resolution about the Israel–Hamas war.[10] The first of seven permitted protests took place the day before the convention started. Hundreds marched along Michigan Avenue to Grant Park.[11]

References

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  1. Korecki, Natasha (April 11, 2023). "Democrats choose Chicago as the site of the 2024 convention". NBC News. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  2. "DNC Announces Chicago to Host 2024 Democratic National Convention". Democratic National Committee. April 11, 2023.
  3. "Pritzker, Lightfoot, Duckworth working on pitch for 2024 Democratic National Convention to be held in Chicago". Chicago Sun-Times. 2022-03-31. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  4. "Where Could the 2024 Democratic National Convention Be Held If It Came to Chicago? Lightfoot Weighs in". NBC Chicago. March 31, 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  5. Sweet, Lynn (April 11, 2023). "Chicago to host 2024 Democratic National Convention". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  6. Sweet, Lynn (2022-05-28). "New York jumps in race to host 2024 Democratic National Convention: Big competition for Chicago". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2022-05-30.
  7. Glueck, Katie; King, Maya (2023-01-27). "'Does This City Fit Who We Are as a Party?' Mayors Jockey for 2024 D.N.C." The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  8. Gallardo, Michelle (July 15, 2024). "Secret Service, Chicago police responsible for securing rooftops around United Center during DNC". ABC 7. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  9. Wade, Stephanie (December 11, 2023). "Why so many Palestinians call the Chicago area home; Cook County has largest population in US". ABC7 Chicago. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  10. Loria, Michael. "DNC comes to 'Little Palestine' as Gaza deaths top 40,000". USA TODAY. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  11. Sisk, Courtney (August 19, 2024). "Here's where protests are scheduled and when during DNC in Chicago". NBC Chicago. Retrieved August 21, 2024.