The Central Times is sending two journalists daily to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago from Aug. 19-22. This was made possible by the Illinois Journalism Education Association. Each day, a reporter will be publishing a diary entry recounting their experiences from the convention. Read more of our coverage from the DNC at centraltimes.org.
9:40
Upon arriving at Union Park, C.J. and I picked up press passes and headed over to the press conference for March on the DNC, a coalition that, among other things, is fighting to support Palestine and end U.S. aid to israel. We heard from seven people at the briefing including spokesman Hatem Abudayyeh, who spoke out against “Genocide Joe Biden.” While many of the people in the attendance before the rally looked to be in their thirties, I saw many kids and even a mom who brought her baby in a stroller.
11:30
We left Union Park and got on the L to go to McCormick place and pick up our official DNC press passes. While there, C.J. and I took the time to eat lunch, look through photos and get our notes organized.
3:30
After recharging, we all got on a media shuttle bus to head to the United Center. During the 40-minute ride both C.J. and I were interviewed by Naperville Sun reporter Tess Kenny for her story documenting our experience as student journalists.
4:10
As we exited the shuttle bus I was immediately hit with the sound of protesters. They chanted “Free Free Palestine” and “Biden Biden you can’t hide, you’re committing genocide” while a helicopter flew overhead. At this point, all the security measures the Chicago Police Department and Secret Service had taken were apparent. From cops stationed all the way back at Union Station at the beginning of the day to now, with rows of barricades. As soon as we entered the stadium we spotted other highschoolers who, like us, were with the Illinois Youth Press Corps.
5:30
If I had to describe what I heard at the DNC in five words it would be Trump, middle class and reproductive rights. With barely any mention of the war in Gaza, speakers seemed intent on drawing a sharp contrast between the Trump agenda and what Biden and other democrats have done in the past four years. As the night went on the crowd gained more and more excitement over speakers like New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. As soon as Joe Biden was introduced the crowd began to chant “thank you, Joe” as they held their “we love Joe” signs, though whether they were thanking him for his four years in office or for stepping down was left unsaid.
