LISTEN: Democratic National Convention kicks off with some protests; Biden expected to speak

CHICAGO, IL — The Democratic National Convention is kicking off Monday, with President Joe Biden slated to speak in the evening. 

 

The DNC did bring in protestors, who reportedly broke through part of the barriers set up on the north side of the convention site. 

ABC News Correspondent Jim Ryan is in Chicago and told KSL NewsRadio that the demonstrations officially began yesterday. He said they are expected to continue every day of DNC.  

LISTEN: What to expect from the DNC

He says they primarily consist of Pro-Palestinian activists and Pro-Israeli activists. 

“Police were there to keep these groups separated, as well as volunteers,” Ryan said. “They’re not in riot gear, they’re just in their regular police shirts… They are escorting the crowd as it marches.”

Chair of the Salt Lake County Democratic Party Jade Velazquez is at the Convention, but says he didn’t see many protests. 

“I have actually been seeing very, very few protestors. We have felt safe and secure the whole time,” he told KSL NewsRadio’s Jeff Caplan.

He says the atmosphere around the DNC feels “celebratory.” But, he says being there is a work trip for him, not just a celebration.

“One of my major missions is to build relationships with other counties similar to us. My job is to find other counties like us… that we can learn from.”