Democrats begin their convention amid protests, and Floridians prepare to vote in Tuesday's state primary.
Protesters demonstrate in Chicago as DNC gets underway
A coalition of 290 human rights groups demanding an end to the war in Gaza and the Biden administration's funding for Israel, kicked off their protest rally at Union Park in Chicago by taking a page from former President Donald Trump’s playbook of providing nicknames to their opponents.
Calling President Joe Biden “Genocide Joe,” Vice President Kamala Harris “Killer Kamala” and Secretary of State Antony Blinken “Baby Killer,” the group was set to march for 1.1 miles until they are within sight and sound of the United Center, where the Democratic National Convention is taking place.
“Kamala Harris is part of this administration. She is part and parcel of, and in lockstep with 75 years of U.S. policies in relation to Palestine and the Arab world,” Hatem Abudayyeh, the spokesperson for Coalition to March on the DNC said to a group that could swell to the tens of thousands for a march that city officials would not allow on the streets by the convention center.
"We have to play our part in the belly of the beast to stop the genocide, to end U.S. aid to Israel and stand with Palestine," Abudayyeh said.
The groups that form the coalition represent students, immigrants, the LGBTQ community and other causes and are united in their opposition to U.S. support for Israel. While March on the DNC 2024 does not take a stand on whether or not people should vote or who they should vote for, “we don’t think there is a lesser of two evils when it comes to Palestine and the Arab world" said Abudayyeh.
"The Republicans and Democrats are in lockstep,” he said. “We will not take any responsibility if Kamala Harris loses this election to Trump. Their policies are responsible only and nobody else.”
Calling Harris and Biden war criminals, the Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine, another activist group, said they plan to make it clear to Democratic leaders at their convention this week that “enough is enough” with the war in Gaza.
In addition to two major rallies this week held by the March on the DNC 2024 coalition on Monday and Thursday to protest U.S. support for Israel, the local Palestinian rights group plans to hold another rally Aug. 21 at Union Park.
“Bring your voices, posters and kuffiyehs as we make it clearer than ever that no business will go as usual until no more Palestinians are massacred,” the group posted on Instagram. “The DNC cannot party while there is a genocide in Gaza. Welcome to hell week.”
March on the DNC organizers expect tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protestors during this week’s convention.
Mayor Brandon Johnson said authorities were well prepared.
“The city of Chicago is really good at things like this,” he said during a news conference. “We are ready.”
The Chicago area has one of the largest Palestinian communities in the nation, and buses were bringing activists from all over the country. Organizers said they hoped the turnout for Monday’s march and rally would be at least 20,000 people.
With all eyes on Harris, Trump schedules DNC counterprogramming
Former President Donald Trump and his allies have announced counterprogramming for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, complete with theming for each day, as he attempts to wrench attention away from Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party.
Trump will attempt to undercut the Democratic celebration with a jam-packed schedule that includes daily events in battleground states tied to subjects where Republicans think they hold an advantage. It's his busiest campaign week since the winter, when he faced challengers in the Republican primary.
Some of the daily themes are the same ones they utilized during the Republican National Convention, though they dropped the word "once" from each theme (ie: "Make America Safe Once Again" during Day 2 of the RNC is now "Make America Safe Again" on Tuesday, Day 2 of the DNC.), culminating with Trump's now-infamous "Make America Great Again" slogan on Friday, after the Democratic convention has wrapped. Each day will also see Trump's campaign host a press conference in Chicago, just like the Democrats did on each day of the RNC.
Florida prepares for primary election Tuesday
On Tuesday, Floridians will head to the polls to cast their votes in the state’s primary elections.
Floridians will be asked which candidates they support for Congress, the state Legislature, county commissions and other races that will be on the November ballot.
Today the Hillsborough county supervisor of elections released a series of reminders for voters before heading to cast their ballot.
Floridians should familiarize themselves with the candidates, and know the location of their polling place and hours of operation.
Voters should remember that if they are in line when the polling location closes, they are entitled to cast their vote, regardless of the time.
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
It’s also important to remember that Florida is a closed primary state, so residents can only cast votes for candidates within their declared party.
At the top of Republican and Democrats ballots is Florida’s U.S. Senate seat.
There is a Republican primary and a Democratic primary.
The winners of Tuesday's races will face off in November.