DNC 2024 Day 2: 'Yes, she can': Obama endorses Harris, blasts Trump

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff re-introduced himself to America in his Tuesday night's speech.

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Last updated: Wednesday, August 21, 2024 4:54AM GMT
Barack and Michelle Obama speak at DNC: Hope is making a comeback
The 2024 DNC Day 2 speaker schedule culminated with Democratic political royalty: former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.

CHICAGO -- In a presidential campaign like no other -- and just four weeks after President Joe Biden bowed out of the race -- Democrats are gathering in Chicago this week to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as their candidate to take on former President Donald Trump.

ABC News will have special coverage of the DNC -- including primetime coverage from 10 p.m. until 11 p.m. ET on ABC every day of the conventions, and on ABC News Live from 7 p.m. until 12 a.m. ET.

See DNC Day 1 updates here.

Aug 21, 2024, 4:52 AM

Read the full text of Barack and Michele Obama's speeches

Want to revisit the speeches from Former President Barack Obama or First Lady Michelle Obama?

You can read the full text of their speeches and watch them again by clicking here for Barack and here for Michelle.

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Aug 21, 2024, 1:28 AM GMT

Several arrested at unauthorized downtown protest after protesters confront police

Several people were arrested at an unauthorized pro-Palestinian protest in downtown Chicago outside the Israeli Consulate on the second night of the DNC.

Protesters with Behind Enemy Lines gathered for speeches and a rally near the Ogilvie Transportation Center. A line of police kept them curtailed to about a block as they rallied but then they attempted to march south onto Clinton where they were confronted with a line of police.

Behind Enemy Lines protesters shove Chicago police during a protest outside the Israeli Consulate on the second day of the DNC.
Behind Enemy Lines protesters shove Chicago police during a protest outside the Israeli Consulate on the second day of the DNC.

Some shoving ensued and several people were taken into custody. While a line of police in riot gear were deployed others were seen leaving the scene and the tension seemed to be diffused fairly quickly.

The group's rally continues as of 7:50 p.m.

A line of Chicago police in riot gear forming a line to curtail protesters outside the Israeli Consulate in downtown Chicago on the second day of the DNC.
A line of Chicago police in riot gear forming a line to curtail protesters outside the Israeli Consulate in downtown Chicago on the second day of the DNC.
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Aug 21, 2024, 1:49 AM GMT

Harris addresses Wisconsin crowd after roll call

Harris addressed the DNC crowd from a rally in Milwaukee and thanked the delegates for nominating her as the Democratic presidential nominee.

Harris addressed the DNC crowd from a rally in Milwaukee and thanked the delegates for nominating her as the Democratic presidential nominee.

Harris spoke at the Fiserv Forum, where Trump accepted the nomination last month.

"This is a people powered campaign, and together we will chart a new way forward," she said.

Read more about the Harris campaign's decision to hold a rally in the battleground state of Wisconsin on the same night as the DNC here.

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Aug 21, 2024, 1:26 AM GMT

California delivers delegates to send Harris over the top in ceremonial roll call

California, Harris' home state, delivered the delegates to send Harris over the top during the ceremonial roll call.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered the final delegates to make Bay Area native and Vice President Kamala Harris the Democratic presidential nominee ceremonially.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state is casting its 482 votes for Harris, whom he called a "bright star" whose star has gotten even brighter as she served as the state's attorney general, a U.S. senator and now as vice president.

MORE | CA delivers final delegates to ceremonially make VP Harris the Democratic presidential nominee

"Kamala Harris has always done the right thing, a champion for voting rights, civil rights, LGBTQ rights," Newsom said. "It's time for us to do the right thing -- and that is to elect Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States of America."

Harris is already officially the nominee after the DNC held a virtual roll call earlier this month. Still, the symbolism, and the relationship between Newsom and Harris, is significant.

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Aug 21, 2024, 12:32 AM GMT

A cameo-filled ceremonial roll call

The lively ceremonial roll call has so far featured some surprise cameos alongside more expected political leaders from their respective states.

Standing along the Indiana delegates was actor Sean Astin of "The Goonies" fame, while Louisiana native Wendell Pierce, an actor known for "The Wire," joined his state's delegates as they cast their votes for Harris.

The crowd was also treated to a surprise appearance by Lil Jon when Georgia delegates cast their votes.