The Latest: Preparations underway for night 1 of the DNC in Chicago

The Democratic National Convention begins Monday in Chicago, with about 50,000 people expected to descend on the Windy City. That includes thousands of anti-war activists who plan to demonstrate at the United Center, where Vice President Kamala Harris will formally accept the party’s nomination for president.

Earlier this month, representatives Harris their nominee in a virtual appeal. The party will still a ceremonial name-call vote in Congress, resembling a traditional roll call procedure in which state delegations announce their votes from the Congressional floor.

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Crowds of activists are expected to gather in Chicago for protests outside the Democratic National Convention this week, hoping to draw attention to issues such as economic injustice, reproductive rights and the war in Gaza.

While Vice President Kamala Harris has galvanized As the party prepares to accept the Democratic nomination, activists say their plans to protest have not changed. They are ready to amplify their progressive message before the country’s top Democratic leaders.

Their issues include climate change, abortion rights and racial equality, but many activists agree on an immediate ceasefire in the War between Israel and Hamas is the overarching message of the demonstrations. They have compared it to their generation’s Vietnam War. The Chicago area has one of the largest Palestinian communities in the country, and buses bring activists from all over the country to Chicago.