Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost from Florida is the first Gen-Z member of Congress.

He took to the podium to speak about the pressing threat of climate change, especially in places like Rep. Frost’s home state.

“I know sometimes climate change can feel like an unstoppable force,” Frost said.

Rep. Frost reiterated a sentiment of hope as he spoke of Vice President Harris’ support of climate policy.

“Fighting the climate crisis is patriotic,” Frost said.

Rev. Sharpton introduced the ‘exonerated five’ to speak further about the protection of civil rights.

Korey Wise, Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson and Yusef Salaam, New York City Council member recalled the story of their false conviction in 1989.

“45 wanted us unalive,” said Yusef Salaam, who serves the Harlem neighborhood in New York City.

Donald Trump has consistency labeled the proven innocent men as guilty, still advocating for the guilty verdict even after DNA evidence proved the mens’ innocence.

Korey Wise also referred to the ads that Donald Trump payed for in the New York times which advertised for the ‘Central Park Five’s” incarceration.

Salaam spent seven years wrongly incarcerated.

“Free at last, free at last, God almighty we are free at last,” Salaam said as he closed out his remarks.

Addressing an increasingly energetic crowd, Rev. Al Sharpton commented on Donald Trump’s character, recalling the time he spent with Trump in New York City.

“It was bad that I saw Trump love to fan racist flames,” Rev. Sharpton said. He then compared this to Vice President Harris’ stance on racial justice.

Paying reference to Trump’s comments in Chicago a couple weeks ago, stating that migrants are stealing “Black jobs,” Rev. Sharpton had a clap back similar to former First Lady Michelle Obama’s comments on the second night of the convention.

“In November we’re going to show him when Blacks do their job,” Rev. Sharpton said. “We won’t go back.”

As almost every seat in the United Center is taken, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth took the stage next.

Upon her entrance to the stage, the crowd erupted in an applause that lasted over a minute. A tearful Sen. Warren stood at the podium before beginning her remarks about her personal experience with nominee Kamala Harris and lowering costs for American families all while condemning Trump.

Sen. Warren also spoke about reproductive rights, expressing her distrust in the Trump-Vance ticket.

“Kamala will protect abortion rights nationwide,” Warren said. “We need Kamala Harris.”

Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin is the next to take to the podium to speak on behalf of her home state, one of the most coveted swing states in the country.

Sen. Baldwin spoke about the diverse image of an American family, sharing her mother’s story of teenage pregnancy. The Senator defended social security and medicare.

Sen. Baldwin said that the Harris-Walz ticket would protect social security and medicare unlike Republican nominee, Donald Trump, who has said he would cut social security benefits.

As the fourth night of the DNC begins, educators and leaders Becky Pringle, President of the National Education Association and Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers took the stage to deliver remarks advocating for a Harris presidency which they claimed which protect the Department of Education in the United States.

Pringle identified herself as the leader of the largest union in the U.S., and pushed the message for safe schools and communities for all.

Pringle also took the time to slam Project 2025, highlighting its plans to dismantle the Department of Education and the threat of teachers having to pay higher taxes than “millionaires”.

Although the official schedule for tonight’s speakers and performers has not been released, attendees and viewers at home can expect to hear remarks from Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and performances from pop star Pink.

Rumors have also been circulating throughout convention grounds as well as running rampant on social media speculation about surprise performances continues.

As the United Center has opened its doors for the fourth and final night of the DNC, many delegates can be seen wearing white in honor of the women’s suffrage movement.

Lawmakers were also given the dress code per guidelines from the DNC Women’s Caucus.

This symbolic gesture comes as Vice President Kamala Harris is set to make her long awaited remarks at tonight’s convention, and to officially accept the Democratic nomination.

The uncommitted delegates at the Democratic National Convention faced defeat tonight as the Harris-Walz campaign denied a Palestinian American the chance to speak at the convention’s closing night. 

In response, about a dozen delegates and other convention-goers have begun a sit-in in front of the United Center. The uncommitted delegates signaled they would support Harris if a Palestinian American speaker were allowed at the convention, as reported by NBC News. 

It is unclear whether CPD or the Secret Service will intervene as the convention is ongoing. 

At a rally hosted by the Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine in Union Park about 800 people have gathered for speeches from pro-Palestinian activists — including third party candidates for president, Jill Stein and Cornel West.

Stein, the Green Party candidate, has ran for president in the prior three general elections. She spoke about the prospect of changing the two party system, especially for young voters.

“This is a historic moment. The empire has really burnt itself out,” Stein said in an interview with The DePaulia. “I encourage young people to stand up with the courage […] and the full man power of the vision. Don’t listen to the people who are trying to maintain their status”.

An independent candidate, Cornel West, has been in the race since June. He also discussed young peoples chance to make a movement — that is not limited to voting. West has criticzied both Trump and Biden’s position on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

“A minimum litmus test (for a candidate), should be ‘do they support genocide,” West said in a interview with The DePaulia.

Introduced by his son, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff stood in front of cheering crowds as DNC attendees chanted his name and held up signs simply reading, “Doug”.

Emhoff spoke about Vice President Harris’ passionate leadership qualities both in their family and in her various positions in the government.

Emhoff expressed his admiration for his wife, his job as being a lawyer and for being a dad.

Telling the story of his “blind date” with Vice President Harris, Emhoff told his love story, cracking jokes and reminiscing of his younger years.

“Her empathy is her strength,” Emhoff said. “Her passion will benefit all of us when she’s our President.”

Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth took to the United Center stage with the message “our fight for reproductive freedom,” displayed behind her as she began her remarks centered around her advocacy for reproductive rights and support of Democratic nominee Harris.

Sen. Duckworth spoke about her time in the Army National Guard, relating her time serving for the United States in defense of freedoms to the production of reproductive rights, specifically IVF and access to fertility treatments.

“Stay out of our doctor’s offices,” Duckworth said as she described her struggles with infertility, characterizing it as “more painful than any wound” she endured in the Army.

“Every American has the right to be called ‘mommy’ and ‘daddy’ without feeling like a criminal,” Sen. Duckworth said as she closed her remarks.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham was the next political figure to stand at the podium on the second night of the Democratic National Convention.

In the opening of her speech, Grisham spoke out in support of Democratic nominee Harris’ healthcare policies while condemning a potential Trump-Vance healthcare policy.

“You know who gets it, Kamala Harris gets it and she cares,” Gov. Grisham said.

Grisham says that Harris will “protect your right to care,” and rounded out her remarks by claiming the Democratic nominee would ensure reproductive healthcare.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker took to the podium to speak about Illinois’ significant political history, being the home of Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama and for a short time, Kamala Harris.

“We claim her too.” Pritzker said.

Addressing his standing as a billionaire, Gov. Pritzker took the time to call out Trump’s “stupidity.”

Like many this evening, Pritzker voiced his support for reproductive rights and gun control, aligning these with a Harris-Walz ticket.

“Democrats want  policies that are kind, not cruel,” Pritzker said. The Governor then characterized a possible Harris-Walz administration as a White House leading with kindness.

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is the next to take the stage at day 2 of the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

Beginning his remarks, Sen. Sanders recalled the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic which left its tragic mark on the United States, saying Biden-Harris took to a “nation suffering…and looking for support” once elected in 2020.

“Thank you President Biden, thank you Vice President Harris, thank you Democratic Congress,” Sen. Sanders said.

Sanders compared the conditions of the 2024 election to 2020, saying there is a similar “political will” which must be “summoned” to elect the Harris-Walz ticket in November.

Speaking repeatedly about the economy, Sanders spoke out against billionaires in government and “buying elections.” Similarly, Sanders voiced his support for universal health care and raising the minimum wage to a “livable wage.”

Sanders characterized a possible Trump reelection as the true “radical agenda,” instead of the Harris-Walz ticket often being labeled as such by those on the right.

Sanders was the first this evening to call for an end of the war in Gaza, the freeing of the hostages and an immediate cease-fire.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York took to the stage to pledge his support for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and express his disapproval of former President Donald Trump.

Referring to Trump’s presidency as the “dark days,” Sen. Schumer went on to speak about his experience with Harris in the Senate.

“She will move America forward to a brighter future, but she can’t do it alone,” Schumer said, promoting a Democratic win of the Senate in the 2024 election.

Schumer expressed his hope in “holding the Senate again.”

The Senate Majority Leader also spoke about “making the Senate look like America,” hoping for a more diverse legislature, while also speaking out against antisemitism.

Sen. Schumer closed his speech by saying that “America deserves better than Donald Trump’s carnage.”

As in convention tradition, a roll call began as delegates from every state and U.S. territories cast their votes for the Democratic ticket of Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz.

Washington D.C.’s Mayor Muriel Bowser pledged 51 votes to Kamala Harris, stating that D.C. plans to host Harris’ inauguration in January, and hopes to see Washington D.C. become the 51st state. Puerto Rico also expressed wanting to become a state under a Harris’ administration.

Gov. J.B Pritzker took the call for Illinois, casting 176 votes for who he called “future Madame President Kamala Harris.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom of California was joined beside the 52nd Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Gov. Newsom spoke about Vice President Harris’ experience as Attorney General in California as the state casted 482 votes for Harris.

Rapper Lil Jon made a surprise appearance to introduce Georgia, who cast 123 votes for Kamala Harris.

Various other Governors and state representatives cast their votes for Kamala Harris such as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland.

States also took the moment in the spotlight to highlight their significant accomplishments in American history such as “the birthplace of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass” said Gov. Moore.

State icons, such as Spike Lee from New York and Sean Astin from Indiana joined their state officials during roll call.

Notable state figures spoke out in support of specific policies such as gun control, economic plans, women’s rights and voting rights.

Throughout both nights of the conventions so far, the DNC has drove home the accomplishments of Biden-Harris’s term in the white house. Including lowering perscription drug costs for seniors and new infrastructure throughout the country. They add, that Harris will build on these accomplishments — and add that former President Trump did not make any infrastructure improvements during his term in office.

Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan took to the stage to express his support for union and pension workers, along with honoring Vice President Kamala Harris and Tim Walz for their labor rights views.

Sen. Peters brought out various teamsters to the stage, with retiree Ken Stribling of Wisconsin remarking on President Biden’s American rescue plan. Stribling vocalized the policy’s significant impact on protecting pension retirement funds.

Stribling expressed his confidence in Harris to carry on this support for not only pensions, but retirement, social security funds and medicare.

Stephanie Grisham, former press secretary for Donald Trump took to the stage to condemn many of Trump’s actions such as his characterization of his supporters as “basement dwellers.”

Grisham was the first member of Trump’s senior staff to resign, and stated her official support for Kamala Harris.

The United Center welcomed a former Donald Trump voter from Alabama, Kyle Sweetser to address the crowds.

Sweetser said he voted for Trump three times because of his supposed support of “construction workers.”

But this time around, Sweetser said he will be casting his vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, despite still not identifying as a “leftist.”

As Chicago welcomes delegates, media and volunteers into the United Center for the second day of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, attendees and viewers at home alike are expecting to hear remarks from various notable political figures.

Former President Barack Obama is the headliner speaker for this evening, with speeches also expected from former First Lady Michelle Obama. Illinois also welcomes their Democratic Governor, J.B. Pritzker and Sen. Tammy Duckworth to deliver remarks to the crowds.

With Tuesday’s theme being given the name “A Bold Vision for America’s Future,” appearances are also expected by Sen. Bernie Sanders, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.

Delegates from the fifty states pool into the floor of the United Center, some wearing regalia to represent their state. Wisconsin visitors adorned in cheese hats along with Kansas delegates matching in Kansas City Chiefs jerseys, attendees are ready to get the evening started. 

Tonight’s program is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Stay tuned for live updates throughout the night.

The March on DNC organizers, including the US Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), Chicago Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression (CAARPR) and other community groups held a press conference prior to the march at Union Park.

The group plans to start their march at around 01:30 PM. They will march through Washington Boulevard from Union Park, to the United Center where the Democratic National Convention (DNC) is being held.

Hatem Abudayyeh, the national chair of the US Palestinian Community Network, began the press conference by addressing the crowd– stating the demands of the protestors gathered for the march. He called the movement the “Vietnam War of our generation.”

Their main demand is “to stand with Palestine and end US aid to Israel.” Other demands include:

• “Money for jobs, school, healthcare, housing, and environment, not for war.”
• “Immigrant rights and legalization for all”
• “Defend lgbtqia+ & reproductive rights”
• “Defend the right to unionize and strike”
• “Stop police crimes! Community control of the police now”
• “Justice, peace, and equality”

‘If anything were to change in this country, the source of it won’t be from within the democratic party. It won’t be because they suddenly had a conscience,” said Faayani Aboma Mijana, from CAARPR. “ It will be because groups… built a mass movement so powerful that it forced these genocidal politicians to yield to our demands.”

Chicago Police Department and Office of Emergency Management and Communication held a press conference outlining the city’s response planned for the DNC and related protests throughout the city. 

Police Superintendent Larry Snelling reiterated CPD’s commitment to upholding First Amendment rights of protesters. 

“We hope for the exact same outcome for every protest that everyone gets to express their First Amendment rights,” Snelling said. “[If] We don’t have any incidents. If that occurs, then we’ve had the most successful democratic national convention that we can imagine”. 

United States Secret Service (USSS) Deputy Director Derek Lyon discussed the collaboration between CPD and federal agencies to make the DNC a safe and successful convention. 

“​​We’re aware of activities planned throughout and during the convention and are working with the Chicago Police Department to make sure they’re safe.” 

Mutual aid officers from across the state, including Illinois State and Cook County police, are present in the city to ensure that not only the DNC but all of Chicago remains safe throughout the week. In addition, officers from Milwaukee are present to support CPD.