DNC LIVE UPDATES: Protesters clash with Chicago cops amid DNC convention

Newsweek reporter Isaiah Reynolds is live!

Follow Newsweek reporter Isaiah Reynolds, who is on the ground as the 2024 Democratic National Convention begins.

Coalition to March on the DNC Wins Stage, Amplified Sound Set for Palestine Rally.

“The Law Department had to drop their unconstitutional denial of a sound system,” said Hatem Abudayyeh, a spokesperson for the March on the DNC. “They knew it wouldn’t hold up in court, but they also knew that we have been organizing day and night to line up important supporters in Chicago who helped advocate for us too.”

In an agreement with coalition attorney Chris Williams, the City of Chicago agreed the protesters could assemble a stage and sound system for speeches in Union Park prior to their marches on the United Center this afternoon and Thursday.

The Coalition also got the City to agree to allow them to set up at least seven portable toilets at Union Park in what became an almost absurd dispute.

Map Shows Which States Have Hosted the Most DNCs

This week’s proceedings in Chicago are hardly the first time Illinois has played host to the event. Newsweek has mapped which states have hosted the most DNCs over the years.

READ MORE from Newsweek’s Joe Edwards

DNC Party Platform—Five Key Takeaways

Ahead of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) starting Monday, Democrats have released their party platform in a 92-page document outlining their policy priorities in several key areas.

The platform was written before President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and Vice President Kamala Harris became the presumptive nominee, and so heavily features Biden’s name and policies—even where they differ from policies Harris has since expressed support for.

Democrats will vote on the platform Monday evening, and it is largely expected to pass as it is written.

READ MORE from Newsweek’s Alia Shoaib

Illinois Governor Confirms 150 National Guard on Standby in Chicago

Gov. J.B. Pritzker confirms 150 Illinois National Guard members are on standby in Chicago, without police powers, and says their deployment is unlikely.

Map Shows Which States Have Hosted the Most DNCs

Thousands of Democratic politicians, speakers and supporters will descend on Chicago’s United Center as the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) kicks off in Illinois.

This week’s proceedings in Chicago are hardly the first time Illinois has played host to the event. Newsweek has mapped which states have hosted the most DNCs over the years.

The top two states that have hosted the most Democratic National Conventions are Illinois and Maryland. Illinois leads, with Chicago being the most frequent host city, welcoming the DNC a record 12 times as of 2024.

READ MORE from Newsweek’s Joe Edwards

City says NO to media risers at the March on the DNC for a Free Palestine

Chicago officials informed organizers they would not be allowed to set up risers for media at the March on the Democratic National Convention for a Free Palestine. Tens of thousands of protesters will converge at Union Park for a rally before they march on the DNC Monday, and organizers had contracted for risers to accommodate press covering the major event. The City says no.

The City gave no substantive reason for the restriction. “The reason they gave amounted to, ‘Because we say so,'” said Coalition spokesperson, Faayani Aboma Mijana. “This is an outrageous attempt to suppress free speech and the free press. It’s an attack both on protesters demanding an end to genocide and US aid to Israel, but also on the hundreds of media outlets that want to report on the event. It’s yet another attempt by the City of Chicago to minimize coverage of dissent. This sends a shameful message to the world about what Chicago stands for.”

Biden to Deliver Political Swan Song At DNC

President Joe Biden will make a primetime speech Monday at the Democratic convention in Chicago, it just won’t be the final-night headliner address he’s hoped to make since his first White House run nearly four decades ago.

READ MORE from Newsweek’s Daniel Bush

To Win Swing States, Kamala Harris Must Overcome the Diploma Divide

Vice President Kamala Harris has easily won over the well-educated progressives of the modern Democratic Party. The question is whether she can siphon enough non college-educated voters from Donald Trump in swing states to win election as president.

READ MORE from Newsweek’s Alex J. Rouhandeh.

A Look Inside the DNC

DNC Update: Speakers and Schedule as Party Unites Behind Kamala Harris

The first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) is kicking off in Chicago under the theme “For the People” as thousands of politicians, delegates, and speakers unite behind the newly formed ticket of Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Harris joined the presidential race nearly a month ago after President Joe Biden exited the race and endorsed her on July 21.

Earlier this month, she secured enough pledged delegates to become the Democratic Party’s nominee and is slated to officially accept the nomination at DNC. The main part of the convention will take place at the United Center, home to two professional sports teams in the city—The Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks—and has a capacity of more than 20,000.

The convention will also pay tribute to Biden’s legacy and is expected to feature a lineup of high-profile Democrats, both current and retired.

READ MORE from Newsweek’s Mandy Taheri

Protesters Plan Large Marches and Rallies As DNC Kicks Off

Crowds of activists are expected to gather in Chicago for protests outside the Democratic National Convention this week, hoping to call attention to such issues as economic injustice, reproductive rights and the war in Gaza.

While Vice President Kamala Harris has galvanized the party as she gears up to accept the Democratic nomination, activists say their plans to demonstrate haven’t changed. They’re ready to amplify their progressive message before the nation’s top Democratic leaders.

Their issues cover climate change, abortion rights and racial equality, to name a few, but many activists agree an immediate cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war is the overarching message of the demonstrations. They’ve likened it to the Vietnam War of their generation. The Chicago area has one of the largest Palestinian communities in the nation and buses are bringing activists to Chicago from all over the country.

The Associated Press

Kamala Harris Takes Commanding Lead in Three Battleground States: Poll

Vice President Kamala Harris has taken a significant lead over former President Donald Trump in three key battleground states, according to a latest poll.

READ MORE from Newsweek’s Flynn Nicholls.

Protesters Clash With Cops