DNC In Chicago Day 3: Sit-In To Demand Palestinian Speaker, Oprah Surprises United Center (Live Updates) (2024)

CHICAGO — Day three of the Democratic National Convention kicked off Wednesday in Chicago after a night of rousing speeches with two very familiar faces as headliners: former first lady and President Michelle and Barack Obama.

The Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine marched near the United Center Wednesday afternoon, drawing thousands of demonstrators.

Meanwhile, delegates have a full day ahead with vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, former President Bill Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg taking the stage, along with a surprise appearance from Oprah Winfrey, and performances from John Legend, Sheila E. and Stevie Wonder.

Follow Block Club for live updates throughout the day.

10:25 p.m. Uncommitted Delegates Hold Sit-In To Demand Palestinian Speaker

Uncommitted DNC delegates staged a sit-in outside the United Center Wednesday night, saying they won’t leave until the convention agrees to have a Palestinian American speak on stage for the final night of proceedings Thursday.

The group says 300 ceasefire delegates signed on to a letter they plan to send to Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign.

The delegates are at the convention thanks to the success of a grassroots movement that started in Michigan, encouraging residents to vote “uncommitted” in their primary election in protest of the country’s support for Israel, Al Jazeera reported. About 30 delegates from other states including Hawai’i, Washington and Minnesota earned a spot at the convention through the movement.

Earlier Wednesday, U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar and Cori Bush joined uncommitted Democratic delegates, progressive leaders and activists to call for an immediate U.S. arms embargo on Israel in response to their ongoing war in Gaza. The group also pushed for the convention to feature a Palestinian-American speaker on stage, which they said convention leaders have refused.

Without that, the delegates said, many young voters are questioning how the Democratic party represents their interests and why they should support Harris in November.

“I challenge you, Vice President Harris, to make Palestinians, to make young Muslims, to make the anti-Zionist Jews, to make Gen Z voters welcome in this party. To remind everyone that this tent is big enough for all of us, to remind everyone that we can be the Democratic Party that stands up for human rights, the one that I know and love, because I know the Republican Party does not give a damn about me,” said Abbas Alawieh, a delegate from Michigan. “I know that this party is the only party that can and will uphold human rights. I want a reason to believe in this party again. Give us that reason.”

The sit-in comes hours after Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli being held hostage by Hamas, addressed the convention. The delegates have said they support that decision, but they wanted the same opportunity to address the convention and highlight the suffering of Palestinian people and demand an end to the war.

” … When a majority of voters are demanding a ceasefire and an end to genocide, it is completely out of touch and disgraceful for the DNC to deny Palestinian Americans a voice at the convention,” one delegate said.

“The fact that the Democratic Party will not allow that voice in this convention is censorship. They are silencing Palestinians,” said Yaz Kader, another delegate. “What we have asked for is five minutes, and we can’t even get that. We have asked for humanity.”

Delegates read out a tweet from New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio, who spoke at the convention Monday night and FaceTimed with the group to offer her support for the sit-in. The group also thanked other members of Congress who have backed pro-Palestinian causes.

“Being in the streets is important, and it is also being paired with pressure from the inside,” Ocasio-Cortez told the group.

Rep. Omar also came out to support the sit-in.

“I hate that we have to beg for our community to recognized …,” Omar said. “But as those who came before us never lost, we’re gonna win. And I am in this with you all. We will not give it up.”

As the group continued making speeches, a passerby yelled out, “Release the hostages!”

To which several people responded: “All of them! We agree with you.”

Over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s ground invasion and aerial bombardment of the Gaza Strip, according to reports. The war followed Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people, according to The Associated Press. Hamas kidnapped about 240 people during the attack, and more than 70 hostages are believed to remain in captivity, according to the Washington Post.

“Now, again, as I represent uncommitted and young voters, I feel heartbroken that this party is not willing to listen to pro-Palestinian voices, and isn’t even able to acknowledge the 40,000 people that have been killed and potentially more,” one delegate said.

“And now the DNC has a way to change this as we are calling to bring a Palestinian person, a Palestinian voice, or a pro-Palestinian voice on the stage, and change that heartbreak that I feel, change that heartbreak that millions of people across this country feel. … I saw that silence as people from the floor kept covering the press’s cameras, kept covering our signs, kept standing in front of us, trying to silence us.”

Nearly two hours into the sit-in, Alawieh told the crowd he received an invite for a meeting with four DNC staffers. Asked if that meeting would be to discuss having a Palestinian speaker on stage, Alawieh said he was told no.

“‘No’ is not an acceptable response,” Alawieh said.

The sit-in was still going as of 1 a.m. Thursday. The delegates plan to have a press conference later Thursday morning.

–Melody Mercado

9:30 p.m. Oprah Winfrey Back In Chicago To Support Kamala Harris

Chicagoan and broadcast superstar Oprah Winfrey surprised the United Center crowd Wednesday, speaking in prime time during the Democratic National Convention.

Her message was focused on bodily autonomy and what freedom means to her. Winfrey, a registered independent, called on fellow independents and undecided voters to make the right decision.

“Values and character matter the most… you know that decency and respect are in the ballot in 2024,” Winfrey said.

The crowd chanted “we’re not going back” before Winfrey concluded her speech.

-Melody Mercado

8:45 p.m. President Clinton Takes The Stage To Huge Applause

Former president Bill Clinton took the stage to a standing ovation from the crowd. The 78-year-old went off script several times during his speech, complimenting the Obamas and his wife Hilary Clinton, who spoke on Tuesday and Monday, respectively.

Clinton seemed to get emotional telling the crowd he wasn’t sure “how many of these” he would be able to come to.

“I started in ‘76 and I’ve been to every one since…lord I’m getting old,” Clinton said.

But in the last few minutes of his speech, Clinton threw his hands up in the air and guaranteed that voters who chose Kamala Harris wouldn’t regret it.

“If you vote for this team…you will be proud for the rest of your life. Your children will be proud, your grandchildren will be proud,” Clinton said.

-Melody Mercado

8:15 p.m. Celebs Take Stage At United Center

Celebrities helped kick off night three of the DNC in Chicago.

Music icon Stevie Wonder was one of the first performers of the night, signing his classic hit “Higher Ground.”

“This is the moment you tell your children where you were and what you did,” he said, according to media reports. “As we stand between history’s pain and tomorrows promises, we must choose courage over complacence.”

Actress and comedian Mindy Kaling was the host of Wednesday’s festivities, while comedian Kenan Thompson spoke about Project 2025, the far right wing plan for the federal government should candidate Donald Trump win office.

-Melody Mercado

8 p.m. Peaceful Pro-Palestine Protest Concludes After March Near DNC

A protest that began at Union Park ended there around 8 p.m. after thousands of protesters marched near the DNC in support of a ceasefire in Gaza.

Following speeches at the Near West Side Park, protesters took to the streets to denounce U.S. aid to Israel’s war in Gaza. The group marched past Park 578, where a small pro-Israel demonstration was just concluding. The group then marched towards the new Damen Green Line station, where at least one person was seen being detained by police.

The group then headed back toward Union Park on Lake Street, chanting pro-Palestine slogans. It was a much more orderly protest than Tuesday’s, which saw a mass arrest order after police and protesters clashed.

“I liked that this protest was as organized as Monday’s,” one protester said. “The message was clear, and it was peaceful.”

The demonstration was an extension of a march that took place Monday also at Union Park and also in support of Palestine. Whereas Monday’s rally saw police clear an encampment set up at Union Park post-march, Wednesday’s rally ended with an orderly dispersal at the park.

“This protest today seemed just as strong or stronger in number than Monday,” said Eliza, a pro-Palestine protester. “It’s just a little thing [to protest] but we all have to do everything we can.”

Some at the march said the police presence felt oppressive for what was a peaceful and orderly protest.

“The surveillance [from police] felt oppressive,” said a protester who preferred to stay anonymous. “KKK, CPD, IDF, they’re all use the same tactics to surveil people.”

-Charles Thrush and Jamie Nesbitt Golden

6:45 p.m. Pro-Palestine Protesters March Toward Park 578

The pro-Palestinian march that originated in Union Park peacefully marched past Park 578, which hosted a lightly populated pro-Israel rally an hour earlier. A line of roughly 150 police officers guarded the park.

The crowd of roughly 1,500 people briefly stopped in front of the park as speakers pointed towards the United Center, proclaiming, “That’s the DNC! This is whatwe’remarching for!” The park still held some pro-Israel activists, but the groups moved on from each other without incident.

“The Israelis have been enforcing an apartheid state since 1948,” said Ahmad, a Palestinian-American protester marching alongside the group on Lake Street. “Neither the Democrats nor Republicans care about mypeople, so why should I vote for either party?”

The march continued, and some from the crowd rushed into the nearby Damen Green Line station, where police detained someone inside. Demonstrators are continuing to march down Lake Street.

By just before 8 p.m. the leaders of the march made their way back to Union Park, the rally’s starting point.

-Charles Thrush and Jamie Nesbitt Golden

6:30 p.m. Pro-Israel Rally At Park 578

Roughly 50 pro-Israel protesters gathered at Park 578 Wednesday for a rally organized by the Israeli American Council.

“It’s important for the Jewish community to stand up to the DNC,” said Alan, a self proclaimed “Jewish Trump Supporter.”

Speakers urged members of the Israeli community to speak up for the Hindu community. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently backed Israel during the war in Gaza andhas continued to push for the release of hostages captured by Hamas on Oct. 7th.

Around 75-100 police officer officers lined up at the north end of the park in preparation for a pro-Palestine march coming from nearby Union Park. Police escorted the remaining pro-Israel protesters away.

-Charles Thrush

6 p.m. Who’s Speaking And Performing Tonight?

The night three program of the Democratic National Convention is underway. The convention started off with abortion rights leaders such as Cecile Richards, former president of Planned Parenthood, urging people to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris to preserve women’s rights.

Confirmed speakers tonight include:

• Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz
• Former President Bill Clinton
• Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita of the U.S. House of Representatives
• Pete Buttigieg
• Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota
• House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries
• Sen. Cory Booker, New Jersey
• Ald. William Hall (6th)

Performances include singers Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Sheila E. and Maren Morris, comedian Kenan Thompson and National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman.

Actress Mindy Kaling is hosting.

You can watch night three here.

5:15 p.m. Charged Protesters Must Stay Away From Israeli Consulate, Judge Rules

Some of the protests detained in a mass arrest at Tuesday night’s protest near the Israeli Consulate have been ordered to stay away from the office building hosting the consulate in the West Loop.

The order was handed down as the dozens arrested and charged following clashes with police at the protesters had their day in court Wednesday. Police opened up a defunct courthouse in a Northwest Side police station to quickly handle appearances in front of a judge for those arrested during protests at the DNC.

Read more here.

-Alex V. Hernandez

4:30 p.m. Wieners Circle Offering Trump-Themed ‘Weirdo Meal Deal’

The Wieners Circle has sweetened the deal on its limited-edition Trump Footlong.

The Lincoln Park hot dog stand is offering the mini 3-inch hot dog as a bundle with fries, soda — and a free bottle of JD Jelly Couch Sex Lube.

The “Weirdo Meal Deal” is available through the remainder of the DNC, but only for 20 lucky customers, the restaurant said in an Instagram post.

“Enjoy it on your couch at home,” the post read.

Wieners Circle debuted the Trump Footlong in 2016 when former President Donald Trump was in town and brought it back this week for the DNC.

4:15 p.m. Protest Kicks Off At Union Park

The Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine protest is underway at Union Park, with speakers leading chants of “Free Palestine” “Ethnic Cleansing Is A Crime” and digs at the DNC.

Over 100 protesters gathered at the Near West Side park near the United Center, where the DNC is taking place.

A group of activists rolled out a giant banner calling for President Joe Biden to release Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist serving a life sentence for killing two FBI agents in 1975.

A few hundred more joined the rally as Green Party candidate Jill Stein took the Biden administration to task for their mishandling of Gaza.

She was followed a few minutes later by former presidential candidate and scholar Cornel West, who shared words of encouragement as a police helicopter hovered overhead. Pilsen Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, who has been outspoken about pro-Palestinian causes, also spoke to crowd.

The group plans to march north of the United Center, past where a small group of pro-Israel and pro-Trump demonstrators gathered at Park 578.

–Jamie Nesbitt Golden

3:45 p.m. Police Announce Charges In First Mass Arrest Of DNC

A total 56 people were arrested at a protest Tuesday evening outside the Israeli Consulate in the West Loop that saw protesters and police clash.

Those arrested include three journalists, who were given two citations for disorderly conduct and one for failure to obey police. One felony charge was levied, while the rest were charged with misdemeanors or citations, according to police.

The number of those arrested was pegged at 72 by the National Lawyers Guild of Chicago, which slammed police’s performance of a mass arrest and said heavy police presences at DNC protests have stifled First Amendment expressions.

Read more here.

-Mack Liederman

3:20 p.m. Businesses Near McCormick Place Still Hoping For DNC Boost

Some South Side businesses are holding out hope for a boost from folks in town for the Democratic National Convention after a disappointing first half of the week.

With city officials promising a $150-$200 million boon for the city’s economy as thousands of delegates, politicos, journalists and celebrities descend on Chicago for this week’s DNC, some stores near the convention’s secondary venue — McCormick Place — say things have been off to a snoozy start.

Servers at Fatpour, 2206 S. Indiana Ave., told Block Club business has been uncharacteristically slow at the family-friendly brew pub, a stone’s throw away from McCormick Place, where party leaders are convening caucus and council meetings.

“The barricades might have confused people trying to find us, but we haven’t had too many people in the last few days. We’re always busy otherwise. We’re enjoying the lull,” one server said.

Read more here.

— Jamie Nesbitt Golden

2:45 p.m.: Maggots Left At Delegate Breakfast

Indiana delegates staying at the Fairbanks Hotel, 200 N. Columbus Dr., received a surprise in their breakfast Wednesday morning.

Local law enforcement agencies are investigating an incident in which a group of women entered the hotel and placed “unknown objects” onto tables with food at 6:45 a.m., officials said. It’s unclear if any delegates ate the food before the items were discovered, but one person was treated and released, city officials said.

WGN, which wasfirst to reporton the incident, was told by a law enforcement source that maggots were placed inside the meal by activists wanting to send a message.

Hotel staff acted quickly to replace the food and sanitize the area after the DNC-related disruption, hotel spokesperson Haley Robles told WGN. Hotel officials didn’t immediately reply to further requests for comment.

“They protected us, of course, and turned it around in minutes,” Indiana delegate Tracy Boyd told WGN. She said her group was notified that breakfast service would be briefly delayed due to the incident. “I really do want to give a shout-out to the hotel staff and leadership,” Boyd said.

— Ariel Parrella-Aureli

1:30 p.m. Opioid Awareness Group Takes To Speaker’s Platform At Mostly Empty Park

Several groups working to bring awareness to the opioid crisis and increase access to care for addicts spoke early Wednesday afternoon at the city’s designated demonstration zone at Park 578, a few blocks north of the United Center.

The park was virtually empty during their time slot, except for a few reporters and several dozen police officers. On Monday, protesters broke down sections of a fence just south of the park and briefly breached the outer security perimeter of the United Center before police cleared the area.

Alexis Pleus is the founder and executive director of Truth Pharm, which she started after her son died of a heroin overdose about a decade ago in New York State. She’s also the organizer of the Trail of Truth, which is holding a series of actions at political events like party conventions and presidential debates this year to bring more attention to opioid overdoses.

Pleus expressed frustration with candidates in both major political parties for inaction on providing solutions for addicts and their families — and for not talking about the issue of drug overdoses on the campaign trails.

“We don’t hear them talking about it hardly at all,” she said. “We need this issue to be front and center.”

— Quinn Myers

11:15 a.m. Delegates, Local Progressive Leaders Call For U.S. Arms Embargo

A few block north of the United Center in Park 578, uncommitted Democratic delegates, congresspeople and local progressive leaders and activists are holding a press conference to call for a U.S. arms embargo to Israel in protest of their ongoing war in Gaza.

Delegate Abbas Alawieh said organizers are also demanding the DNC feature a Palestinian-American speaker on the main stage of the convention today or tomorrow.

“Is there room in our party to continue discussing Palestinian human rights? I sure hope there is,” he said.

Read more here.

— Quinn Myers

11 a.m. Protesters In Bond Court After Mass Arrest

About 25 organizers from various groups, some from out of state, gathered outside the courthouse at Western and Belmont avenues.

The group had been outside since before midnight, waiting for those arrested at Tuesday’s protest to be released on bond in order to connect them with legal help as well as offer medical aid, food, water and rides, said one of the organizers who asked not to be identified.

As of 11 a.m., about 30 people had been released, said one of the organizers.

The group sat in camping chairs along North Campbell Avenue. Empty pizza boxes were stacked near the exit of the building.

— Alex V. Hernandez

Dozens Arrested During Palestine Solidarity Protest

Tuesday’s protest outside the Israeli Consulate in the West Loop ended with Chicago police arresting at least 60 people, including three journalists, Police Supt. Larry Snelling said.

A National Lawyers Guide of Chicago news release put that number higher, at 72 arrests.

The protest saw police “far outnumbering” and “indiscriminately” arresting organizers, the lawyers guild said.

The protest began about 7 p.m. outside the Israeli Consulate, 500 W. Madison St. About 100 people initially gathered, with organizers calling on leaders to denounce the United States’ support for Israel’s war in Gaza.

The protest had wrapped up by 9:25 p.m. after police ordered demonstrators to leave and arrested those who didn’t comply.

Read more here.

— Madison Savedra and Kelly Bauer

Lil Jon Turns Typically Boring Roll Call Into DNC Highlight

The convention’s traditional in-person roll call, in which 57 U.S. states and commonwealths announce their votes for the candidacy, took a decidedly upbeat turn Tuesday night thanks to a live DJ spinning walkup tracks for each state — and the surprise appearance of Grammy-winning Lil Jon.

Answering the call for Georgia’s votes, Lil Jon worked his way through the fired-up crowd as he performed his hit “Turn Down For What.”

The celebrity-studded roll call also featured “Desperate Housewives” star and native Texan Eva Longoria and actor Sean Astin, star of the iconic Notre Dame movie “Rudy” as well as the Indiana-set series “Stranger Things,” among others.

Read more here.

— Gwen Ihnat

DNC Celebrity Tracker: The Famous People At The Convention And Around Chicago This Week

The iconic Patti LaBelle and Chicago native Common added star wattage and stirring performances to Tuesday night’s programs.

Celebs on the convention schedule for Wednesday include actor and Northwestern University alum Julia Louis-Dreyfus and comedian, writer and producer Mindy Kaling of “The Office” and “Mindy Project.”

Louis-Dreyfus, who is known for her role as the first woman vice president on her Emmy-winning HBO series “VEEP,” will host a Wednesday panel of several female governors at McCormick Place while Kaling will lead the evening program at the United Center.

Follow our celebrity tracker here. Got a tip for us? Email newsroom@blockclubchi.org.

South Side Alderman ‘Overjoyed’ To Give Day Three Remarks

Ald. William Hall (6th) was dining at Ascione Bistro in Hyde Park when he received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The DNC was rolling into town, and Kamala Harris’ campaign wanted to know if the South Side alderman was available to speak on the third day of the convention, Hall said.

“I started crying, and I could not stop crying,” Hall said. “People probably thought I was having a stroke.”

His roughly four-minute speech on Wednesday will “pay homage to the Black women of the 6th Ward who changed the world,” Hall said.

— Atavia Reed

DNC Speaker Schedule For Wednesday

The main program runs 6-10 p.m. at the United Center.

Among those scheduled to speak Wednesday: Sen. Cory Booker, New Jersey; Sen. Chris Murphy, Connecticut; Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota; Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, New York; Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro; and vice presidential nominee Tim Walz.

Closing out the evening will be former President Bill Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

The full day-by-day speaker schedule is here.

Check out our Day One DNC live blog here, and Day Two here.