Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama were the headliners of the evening events while protests continued outside during day two of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The delegates officially nominated Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s presidential nominee amidst a packed crowd at the United Center. The Obamas, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, and two notable Republicans who crossed party lines to endorse Harris also spoke at the event. Protesters clashed with police outside, resulting in multiple arrests. The Obamas’ speeches emphasized hope, unity, and the need for change, while Harris highlighted the importance of the upcoming election. Former President Obama praised Joe Biden’s leadership and criticized former President Trump. Harris’s husband, Emhoff, shared personal anecdotes about her character and values. Additionally, two Republicans, Stephanie Grisham and Mayor John Giles, showed their support for the Democratic Party during the event.
Former Trump White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham departs after speaking on stage during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Ill., on Aug. 20, 2024. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Grisham said she wasn’t just a Trump supporter but a “true believer.”
“I was one of his closest advisors,” she said.
“The Trump family became my family. I spent Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s all at Mar a Lago. I saw him when the cameras were off, behind closed doors.”
Grisham alleged that she was asked to lie in her job and that she finally reached a tipping point.
“On January 6, I asked Melania [Trump] if we could at least tweet that while peaceful protest is the right of every American, there’s no place for lawlessness or violence. She replied with one word, ‘no,’” Grisham said, displaying the text message on screen behind the stage.
“I became the first senior staffer to resign,” she added.
“Now here I am behind a podium advocating for a Democrat, and that’s because I love my country more than my party. Kamala Harris tells the truth. She respects the American people, and she has my vote,” Grisham said.
Giles said as a lifelong Republican, he felt a little out of place that night, but “more at home here than in today’s Republican Party.”
“Trump made a lot of lofty promises, unlimited economic growth, American manufacturing reborn, a secure border,” Giles said.
“Turns out Donald Trump was all talk. He wanted our votes, but he couldn’t deliver a thing.”
The mayor said he goes to ribbon-cutting ceremonies every week due to infrastructure investments from the Biden-Harris administration.
“So let’s turn the page. Let’s put our country first.”
Rogue Protest Unfolds Outside Israeli Consulate
A non-permitted pro-Palestinian protest outside the Israeli consulate in Chicago led to violent clashes and arrests on the evening of Aug. 20.
The Chicago Police Department did not immediately clarify how many protesters had been taken into custody when asked via email. The Epoch Times, however, witnessed numerous arrests as speeches continued inside.
Police line up amid a protest at the Israeli consulate during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Ill., on Aug. 20, 2024. Scott Olson/Getty Images
Organized by the group Behind Enemy Lines, the march began at 7 p.m. Dozens to a few hundred demonstrators, some with faces covered by keffiyehs or other garments, listened to speeches and chanted. Chants included “Long live the intifada!” and “The whole world is watching”—the latter taken straight from 1968, when confrontations between police and protesters over the Vietnam War marred an earlier Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
The protesters then marched directly into a line of Chicago Police Department officers at the Madison Street and Clinton Street intersection, just west of the Chicago River. At the head stood Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, who also led the pushback of journalists.
After some initial arrests, a remaining group of protesters moved east on Madison, and were soon surrounded by law enforcement. Behind one police line was a group of pro-Israel demonstrators, who eventually moved back a block.
After a long standoff, a more hardcore group ended up reversing west. Chased by police and journalists, protesters maneuvered through the streets south of the Israeli consulate.
At various points, one police representative threatened to strip journalists of their credentials if they stepped off a narrow sidewalk into the street.
As protesters were being handcuffed near a police vehicle, law enforcement indicated that only “green hats”—members of the progressive National Lawyers Guild—could cross a police line.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators ended up near Union Station, where, after more than two hours, things began to die down. At one point, the Chicago police and the Illinois State Police formed lines perpendicular to each other.
More protests are expected over the remaining days of the convention, including on Aug. 22
The Chicago Police Department did not immediately clarify how many protesters had been taken into custody when asked via email, saying a summary of the events would come during the Aug. 21 morning press conference.
Democrats Thank Biden, Turn Focus to Harris
Many at the convention, including state delegates, honored Biden after he delivered the headlining speech on Monday night to pass the party’s torch to Harris.
“I think Biden made a wonderful decision when he decided to step down and let a younger generation of Democrats take over,” Henry Fries told The Epoch Times.
President Joe Biden speaks during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 19, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times
The Wisconsin delegate and Dane County Supervisor added that the candidate switch worked.
“We see that younger people are getting fired up to support Kamala Harris, who may have sat out before. You see that even the older Democrats are ready to welcome in these new ideas and new people, new faces, to politics. So, it’s really great. It’s really fun.”
Sandra Green Thomas, a delegate from New Orleans, Louisiana, agreed that the retooled campaign has energized young voters.
“It’s the same message they need to send all around this country. I think young people are the key to them winning this race and young people are the key to preserving our democratic traditions. It’s time to pass … the baton,” she told The Epoch Times.
Deborah McGrath, an alternate delegate from Menomonie, Wisconsin, said the atmosphere in the arena during Biden’s speech was energizing and remembered seeing the president hold his great-grandson’s hand as the two smiled.
“It was just such a poignant moment. I’ll never forget it.”
Arjun Singh contributed to this report.
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