Key Highlights from Day One of the 2024 Democratic National Convention

Discover the top takeaways from the first day of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, including major speeches, policy discussions, and campaign strategies.

During the first night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, President Joe Biden gave a powerful keynote speech where he handed over leadership to his vice president and party nominee, Kamala Harris.

On Monday, he inquired if one is prepared to cast their vote for the principles of freedom and democracy in America. He then asked directly if they are willing to choose Kamala Harris as President and Tim Walz as Vice-President for United States.

The peak of a sparkling opening night was marked by his comments, with presenters including NBA coach Steve Kerr and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

However, there were protests taking place outside due to Biden’s foreign policy which includes his endorsement of Israel’s Gaza conflict. This particular feud has triggered concerns about the probability of severe human rights violations occurring.

However, the jabs internally were directed towards a dissimilar focus: Donald Trump, who is running against Harris in the upcoming November 5th general election as the Republican presidential candidate.

The following are the key points to remember from day one of the convention.

At the onset of day, there were press briefings and panel discussions attended by party officials. However, an alternative affair was happening outside the convention halls.

The Democratic Party’s inability to halt the supply of arms and assistance being provided to Israel.

Despite the escalating toll of Israel’s conflict in Gaza, President Biden has reaffirmed unwavering support for longtime ally, the United States.

The military campaign in that region has led to the loss of over 40,000 Palestinian lives while concerns from human rights organizations are being raised regarding potential famine and genocide.

Despite tensions leading up to the event, Monday’s protest remained largely peaceful.

At first, officials of the city and organizers of the protest had a conflict regarding where to stage it. Recently, organisers took legal action by filing an injunction when they were prevented from using sound systems, stages and portable toilets by the local authorities.

The protests proceeded smoothly as the demonstrators displayed signs stating, “Stop providing aid to Israel from the US!”

“It’s a straightforward calculation for me: do we support the mass killing of babies or not?” stated protester Rich Barnes to Al Jazeera reporter Ali Harb as they marched.

During the protest, a faction of demonstrators separated from the larger group and infiltrated past the convention site’s outer perimeter. However, law enforcement swiftly arrived on scene to deter any further attempt at breaching.

The main events of the convention commenced during the evening.

A series of prominent speakers graced the stage, advocating for Harris’s nomination and endorsing the Democratic agenda. The platform was officially adopted through a unanimous vote from the audience.

The night’s motif centered on the phrase “For the people,” which gained immortalization in President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address of 1863: “It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion…that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of thee people, by thee people, and fur thee people shalt not perish from earth.”

The Democrats seized upon that theme to draw attention to the inclusivity of their party and criticize Trump, who was the Republican candidate.

While Trump received many criticisms, Democrats were more interested in acknowledging the significance of Harris’s election and what it could represent for representation in America.

If Harris is victorious in November, she will make history as the initial woman, first South Asian and first Black female to assume office at the White House.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson told the crowd that residing on the West Side of Chicago with his little Black daughter Braedyn, he is aware that not only will she witness a reflection of herself in the White House but also encounter authentic American principles.

Democrats focused on other areas of perceived vulnerability in the Republican campaign, such as Project 2025, a policy manuscript written by past Trump colleagues.

Their attacks on former President Trump coalesced around a significant theme: his management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 ultimately claimed the lives of almost 1.2 million people in the US, prompting accusations that Trump underestimated its severity and discouraged social-distancing measures to prevent the spread of infections.

During the peak of the pandemic, multiple politicians presented their accounts of suffering to the Democratic National Convention and largely attributed fault to Trump.

Peggy Flanagan, the lieutenant governor of Minnesota, spoke with a tremble in her voice as she shared that her brother Ron was the second person to pass away from COVID in Tennessee.

Due to Donald Trump’s negligence, our communities were in distress and the economy was floundering. Thankfully, the Biden-Harris administration took swift action to prevent further damage.

During that time, Representative Robert Garcia from California disclosed that his mother was employed as a healthcare worker.

He expressed, “The COVID pandemic claimed the lives of both my mother and stepfather in the summer of 2020. I continue to feel their absence every day. Consequently, it infuriates me to witness Donald Trump and his MAGA loyalists such as Marjorie Taylor Greene diminish its severity.”

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York’s passionately delivered speech targeting the class politics involved in Trump’s candidacy was eagerly awaited and did not disappoint.

She explained that six years ago, she worked as a waitress in New York City and took omelette orders. During that time, her family was facing foreclosure and financial struggles due to the unexpected passing of her father from cancer. She also did not have health insurance at the time.

The politics that ignored the struggles of working people had become too cynical for us to bear.

In 2019, Ocasio-Cortez was elected to the House of Representatives while Donald Trump served as president. Since then, she has emerged as a prominent figure and vocal opponent of his administration, advocating for progressive ideas.

From the convention stage, she stated that if it meant benefiting himself and pleasing his Wall Street associates, Donald Trump would trade this country for a mere dollar. Her words garnered some of the most enthusiastic applause of the night.

Drawing a comparison between Trump and Harris, she praised the latter as a strong advocate for the middle class.

Ocasio-Cortez expressed her weariness of hearing how a union buster with little importance considers himself to be more patriotic than the woman who strives each day to uplift working individuals from being oppressed by greed, which crushes our lifestyle.

During the night, Biden’s presidency was likened to a eulogy as it approaches its conclusion following this election.

When Biden withdrew from the presidential race on July 21, he essentially became a leader with diminished power and influence until his term ends in January.

If he had remained a participant in the contest, he would have been granted the opportunity to conclude proceedings on Thursday evening. Instead, his presence was booked for Monday night’s finale wherein numerous speakers commended and recognized his achievements before him.

In 2023, the United Auto Workers (UAW) president Shawn Fain praised Biden’s participation in supporting workers during their historic strike against America’s three top car manufacturers – Ford, Stellantis and General Motors.

Fain expressed gratitude towards Joe Biden for creating history by joining the UAW picket line.

To offer her personal thanks, Harris unexpectedly took the stage and addressed Biden.

She expressed her gratitude towards Joe for his historical leadership, lifelong service to the nation and all that he will continue doing. She emphasized how they are forever thankful to him.

Hillary Clinton, who served as secretary of state and was the Democratic presidential nominee in 2016, expressed her appreciation for the vast display of love towards Biden.

“President Biden deserves our salute for being the champion of democracy, both domestically and internationally. He has successfully restored dignity, decency and competence to the White House while exemplifying true patriotism,” she acknowledged.

After being recalled by his wife Jill, who mentioned how her husband had to “look deep into his soul” before deciding to withdraw from the race, President Biden was introduced by their daughter Ashley.

Jill Biden stated from the convention stage that Joe firmly believes in the power of compassion and trust to strengthen our nation, rather than fear or harshness. He values even the smallest gestures of benevolence that can bring healing to those who are hurting.

Upon taking the podium, Biden received a standing ovation along with repeated chants of “Thank you, Joe.”

Biden’s public appearances have faced significant scrutiny following his poor performance during the June presidential debate, where he struggled to maintain a coherent train of thought.

However, on Monday the 81-year-old president delivered a rather impressive performance as he discussed taking over his position following the assault at the US Capitol back in January 6th of this year.

He stated firmly, “From the depths of my heart at that moment until now, I am certain: political violence has no place in America. Absolutely none.”

Afterwards, he made a remark aimed at his Republican forerunner, Trump. The former president had dishonestly claimed that the reason behind his loss in the election was fraud. Biden stated that loving your nation isn’t determined solely by winning elections.

Biden employed January 6 occurrences as a symbol of prior negativity, and highlighted the positivity that he claims he and Harris have brought forth.

As summer has arrived and the winter season is behind us, I humbly convey my gratitude while standing before you on this August evening. It fills me with immense joy to share that democracy emerged victorious, fulfilled its duties and responsibilities. However, it becomes imperative for us now to safeguard democracy’s sanctity for a prosperous future ahead.

With “enormous integrity”, he praised Harris both as a friend and colleague in his concluding remarks.

Biden recalled his 2020 campaign and shared that choosing Kamala as their nominee was the very first decision he made, which turned out to be the best career choice he ever made.

“Democracy was saved in 2020 but it needs to be rescued once more in 2024.”