When Democrats Gather in Chicago to Nominate Kamala Harris
When Democrats descend on Chicago next week to nominate Kamala Harris, the party will be unified on much, but riven by a major issue that has also preoccupied American Jews for 10 months: Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.
Outside the convention, pro-Palestinian protesters plan to turn out in the tens of thousands for marches and protests. On sidelines of the convention, pro-Israel groups will feature prominently, and stars like Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro will likely take the main stage. Harris’ Jewish husband, Doug Emhoff, is also expected to take a primetime turn.
Key Points to Watch Out For:
- Will protests stoke unrest?
- Will Israel and Gaza be discussed on the main stage?
- What do the most prominent speakers say?
- Where will all the Jewish events be held?
- Will news in the Middle East shake Chicago?
The Democratic convention will run Monday through Thursday in Chicago, with marquee speakers — including Harris, Walz and former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton — speaking in the evening. Here’s what we’re watching.
Will protests stoke unrest?
Chicago will see public actions both in support of and against Israel next week, and for the city, a front-of-mind concern is preventing a repeat of the 1968 anti-Vietnam War protests and violent police response that turned that year’s Democratic convention into a nexus of chaos, led to a controversial trial and saw images of bloodshed spread across global news broadcasts.
The 1968 riots are widely seen as having contributed to the defeat of the Democratic nominee, Hubert Humphrey, by Richard Nixon.
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Will news in the Middle East shake Chicago?
Two developments having nothing, at least directly, to do with the convention could upend it: Iran’s long threatened strike on Israel; and the prospect of a ceasefire. A top administration official told reporters that after the talks concluded in Qatar on Friday, negotiators believed they were in the “end game,” and that they could finalize a deal in Cairo “before the end of next week.”