CHICAGO (AP) — The Democratic National Convention kicked off Monday in Chicago, just four weeks after President Joe Biden shut down his campaign and cleared the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to ascend to the top of the Democratic ticket.
The political shift that occurred just months before the general election with Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump has set off a rapid series of changes in Democrats' 2024 calculus in general — making the convention even more important.
Read more: As the 2024 Democratic National Convention kicks off, here are 4 things to watch out for
Here's what to watch on day one.
Biden to speak Monday evening
Until a month ago, Biden was expected to take the convention stage on Thursday night, as is customary for the party’s nominee. Now, Biden will deliver the opening night address on Monday, as will his wife, first lady Jill Biden.
Biden is expected to use his keynote address as a symbolic handover of his party to Harris, capping five decades of Democratic politics and underscoring what he says is the threat to the country if Trump returns to the White House.
WATCH: A Look at the 1968 Democratic Convention and Its Relevance Today
Harris will be on hand to watch the president speak. Signs in the arena will bear Biden’s usual slogan: “Spread the Faith.” While Harris is expected to remain in Chicago for the week’s events, ahead of her speech, officials say Biden has no plans to be in Chicago after his appearance.
Focus on the “people”
According to conference organizers, the theme of Monday's events is “For the People,” a nod to Harris's 2020 presidential campaign theme, a phrase she has incorporated into her new campaign, starting with a fundraising email the night Biden left the race.
WATCH: A look at this week's Democratic National Convention in Chicago
The phrase dates back to 2019, when Harris, a longtime prosecutor and California’s first female attorney general, recalled introducing herself in court as “Kamala Harris, for the people,” adding, “In my entire life, I’ve only had one client, the people.” Throughout that campaign, Harris returned to the phrase repeatedly, in speeches but also on signs, T-shirts, and as part of the official name of her main campaign committee.
On the opening night of the convention, organizers noted that speakers will aim to make the argument that “while Donald Trump puts himself first, Democrats fight for the American people,” which they say is reflected in Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
In addition to elected officials and party leaders, Democrats also plan to feature “everyday Americans” and some artists during each night.
Protests are planned across the city.
Thousands of activists are expected to gather in Chicago, hoping to draw attention to abortion rights, economic injustice and the war in Gaza. Demonstrations are expected to take place every day of the conference, and while their agendas vary, many activists agree that an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas is the priority.
Months of preparation have gone into the city to welcome the tens of thousands of activists expected to descend on the city. Chicago police have received training in handling constitutional issues, local courts say they are working to open more space in anticipation of mass arrests, and hospitals near the security zone are ramping up emergency preparedness.
Read more: Thousands of activists demand Gaza ceasefire, expected at Democratic convention
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who is expected to take the stage on opening night of the convention, told ABC's “This Week” on Sunday that the city is prepared for the thousands of activists expected to protest around the Democratic National Convention.
“Our local police department worked with the Secret Service as well as other local agencies to ensure a safe and peaceful yet vibrant and exciting convention,” he said.
Trump's Counter Programming
While Democrats are hailing their favorite candidates, Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, are spending a full week of their own events in swing states. Like Democrats — and as they did at their own convention last month — Republicans are adding a new theme to each day’s events, with Monday set to focus on the economy.
WATCH LIVE: Trump holds rally in Pennsylvania as Democratic National Convention opens
On Monday, both Trump and Vance will head to Pennsylvania, the Rust Belt battleground where both men have campaigned in recent days. And each day of the Democratic National Convention, Trump allies will hold a news conference in Chicago, a prelude to what is expected from the stage at the United Center.
