Democratic presidential candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris addresses the crowd at the United Center on the final night of the Democratic National Convention.
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) kicked off at Chicago's United Center on Monday, August 19.
Throughout the week, the University of Chicago provided housing for some of the estimated more than 500 police officers from across Illinois and from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who provided security at the Democratic National Committee. The Maroons confirmed this through a statement by the university’s spokesman before the conference.
According to a post by Chicago Police on
On the first day of the Democratic National Convention, there was a march to the Democratic National Convention with the main demand being an end to US aid to Israel. Community members and University of Chicago students participating in the march included Southside Together for Power (STOP), an organization working against the displacement of black communities in Woodlawn and surrounding areas.
The march consisted of a few thousand protesters who gathered for a rally in Union Park. Thirteen people, who police said were not connected to the main protest march, were arrested after they breached the fence surrounding the convention center.
On the second day of the Democratic National Convention, prominent Democrats spoke in support of former California senator and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Many of the speakers were affiliated with the university, including former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT.) AB ’64.
Barack Obama, who taught as a senior lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004, delivered the keynote address.
“History will remember Joe Biden as an outstanding president who defended democracy at a moment of great danger,” Obama said.
Obama also said Harris is the best candidate to beat former President and Republican nominee Donald Trump and serve America.
“She will work on behalf of every American. “This is Kamala,” Obama said.
Obama's speech came on the heels of a speech by his wife and former First Lady Michelle Obama. Beginning in 1996, Michelle Obama served as Associate Dean for Student Services at the University of Chicago. She was then appointed UChicago Medical Center's Executive Director of Community Affairs in 2002 and became Vice President of Community and External Affairs in 2005.
In her speech, Michelle Obama praised Harris and directed several attacks at Trump. Ultimately, it encouraged voters, regardless of their political affiliation, to make their voices heard and protect democracy.
Earlier in the evening, Sanders, who graduated from the University of Chicago with a political science degree in 1964, listed some of Congress' accomplishments since 2020.
“My fellow Americans, during the past three and a half years of working together, we have accomplished more than any government since Franklin Roosevelt,” Sanders said. “But there is still a lot to be done.”
Through the Institute of Politics (IOP), a group of UChicago students attended Day 2 of the DNC with IOP Director of Career Development Mark Schwarty. Among the students in attendance was Leonardo Lopez, a sophomore majoring in political science at the college.
“I've never felt this energy that brings people together to believe in something, just to be there to support whoever they think is best for the country,” Lopez said. “It was a really exciting experience to see and also meet the prominent politicians you see in the news all the time.”
The third day of the DNC saw the IOP holding a Youth Vote Festival and UChicago's Khayal Bangladesh Students Association holding a protest near the DNC. Conference activities included a keynote address by Vice Presidential candidate and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, following notable figures, including former President Bill Clinton and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson were among several featured speakers at IOP's Youth Vote Festival, which consisted of a series of talks and workshops aimed at helping attendees increase youth political engagement. The IOP held another Vote Fest this July in Milwaukee during the Republican National Convention.
In a speech before the question-and-answer session, Buttigieg talked about how Democrats have begun to reclaim the concept of “liberty” from Republicans in their messaging.
“A lot of times, good government is about making sure that our freedom is enhanced through good political intervention,” Buttigieg said.
Buttigieg also said he chose to appear on conservative TV channels like Fox News because he wanted Democrats' messages to reach voters they couldn't otherwise reach, promoting healthy conversations.
“I can't be mad at someone for not embracing our message if they've never heard it before,” Buttigieg said.
While recording a live episode at Votefest, New York Times “The Run-Up” host Asted Herndon spoke with Brandon Johnson. During their conversation, Johnson said he felt the progressive movement was making progress and that he believed Democrats could win over younger voters despite their current and historically lower levels of participation.
The University of Chicago's Bangladeshi student association, Khayal, held a protest near the Democratic National Committee on Wednesday in honor of a 31-year-old intern doctor who was raped and murdered by his perpetrator on August 9 in Kolkata, India.
“We demanded justice for the victim and a speedy trial, and we demanded strict punishment for the perpetrators,” said Soumik Ghosh, a member of the Khayal group and a fourth-year Ph.D. in computer science. student. “More broadly, this was a protest against the ingrained patriarchy and misogyny that exists in society and makes everyday life unsafe for women.”
On Thursday, the final day of the convention, Vice President Kamala Harris became the Democratic Party's official presidential nominee. University of Chicago rising fourth-year students Cameron Landen of Georgia and Daryl Cruz Rodriguez of Florida were among the delegates who cast ballots for her in a virtual nomination process earlier in August.
“It's definitely an experience of a lifetime. I can say that much, as one of the youngest delegates from Georgia,” Landin said in an interview with the Maroons after the convention.
Both Landin and Cruz Rodriguez said they support Harris as a nominee but also want to see more action from her and her potential future administration on the war between Israel and Hamas.
Cruz Rodriguez said: “For me personally, the biggest issue now is the call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza.” He added that he was also disappointed that the Democratic National Committee did not elevate Palestinian voices.
Landin said he was “angry” that the Democratic National Committee refused to give a Palestinian-American a chance to speak. This refusal led to a group of ceasefire delegates holding a sit-in outside the United Center from Wednesday until Thursday evening.
Harris said in her speech on Thursday that she “will always ensure that Israel has the ability to defend itself” and that she and President Joe Biden are “working to end this war, so that Israel is safe, the hostages are released, and the suffering in Israel is done.” Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can obtain their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination.
University of Chicago student Simon Nelson, 26, who majored in law, arts, society, and political science in college, attended the DNC through IOP as a guest at the United Center. She spoke to the Maroons in an interview on Thursday.
“It was really amazing to see the Obamas speak. These are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, and I'm so grateful for the IOP,” Nelson said. “Being able to be around people who are truly passionate about voting and democracy in elections has been an invigorating and wonderful experience.” truly.”
