Chicago Becomes a 'Political Battleground' as Democrats Hold National Convention

A report by Mario Doueiri, English adaptation by Nadine Sassine 

As the US presidential election scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, 2024, approaches, Chicago has turned into a real political battleground with the convening of the Democratic National Convention.

 

This four-day event, which began on Monday, August 19, has been filled with significant moments, the most notable being Kamala Harris' official nomination as the party’s candidate following Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race.

The convention brought together many prominent figures within the Democratic Party, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, among other influential personalities. One of the most anticipated moments was the opening speech delivered by President Joe Biden.

In his speech, the current president highlighted the achievements of his administration and gave strong support to Kamala Harris, emphasizing her crucial role in defending American democracy against the threat posed by Donald Trump. Biden promised to be the "best volunteer" in her campaign.

Hillary Clinton focused on the issue of women’s rights in her speech, stressing the need to break the "glass ceiling" by electing the first female President of the United States. She urged Americans to seize this historic opportunity to achieve the dream she pursued eight years ago when she lost to Trump in 2016.

Women's rights were a major focus of the convention, and Harris used the accusations of sexual assault and harassment against her opponent, Trump, to highlight the threats to these rights under a Trump administration.

 

Outside the United Center, there was significant activity as thousands of Palestine supporters gathered to protest US support for Israel. They accused Democrats of genocide and called for an end to the violence in Gaza.

This issue resonated within the convention itself, with calls for a more balanced foreign policy that respects human rights. President Joe Biden briefly addressed the protesters' concerns in his speech, acknowledging that they "have a right" to express their views and noting that "many innocents are being killed on both sides," while avoiding direct criticism of Israel.