Democratic leaders will speak at convention amidst potential protests from Palestinians.

The much-anticipated Democratic Party national nominating convention is set to kick off in Chicago, where prominent figures within the party will take center stage from August 19-22. The event, which will be held at the United Center arena on Chicago’s West Side, is expected to bring together a mostly unified and energized Democratic Party. However, outside the security perimeter of the convention, there are likely to be scenes of dissent and anger as demonstrators are planning to protest the Biden-Harris administration’s support for Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

Former Presidents Clinton and Obama, alongside President Biden, recently teamed up at a significant fundraiser in New York City for the Democratic Party’s 2024 ticket. This comes as the party’s convention follows President Biden’s announcement last month to suspend his re-election bid and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris after his lackluster performance in a debate against former President Trump. Questions were raised about Biden’s ability to serve another term due to concerns about his physical and mental capabilities, leading to calls from within his own party to end his 2024 campaign.

Following Biden’s withdrawal from the race, Vice President Harris emerged as the Democratic presidential nominee, with strong support from the party aiming to prevent Trump’s return to the White House. Harris has seen a surge in fundraising since taking the lead atop the party’s ticket, with her July fundraising exceeding that of Trump’s. Her selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate further bolstered her campaign, resulting in a spike in donations.

Harris and Walz have wasted no time hitting the campaign trail, visiting key battleground states across the country and drawing large crowds at every stop. Although both nominees have been officially declared, ceremonial roll calls will still take place during the convention in Chicago. Harris and Walz are scheduled to deliver nationally televised speeches next week, aiming to rally their supporters as they prepare for the upcoming election.

While the Democratic Party remains divided on the U.S. response to the Israel-Hamas conflict, experts believe that comparisons to the chaotic 1968 convention are unjustified. Nonetheless, activists and protestors are gearing up to make their voices heard during the convention. The Coalition to March on the D.N.C., a group of left-leaning organizations, is organizing protests to push back against what they view as insufficient action taken by Democratic officials regarding the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Tensions have risen between protestors and Chicago officials over the march route, with a federal judge set to make a crucial decision on the matter.

As the Democratic Party convention approaches, all eyes are on Chicago, where a mix of celebration, political discourse, and protests is set to unfold. Stay tuned for updates as the event progresses.