All eyes on Chicago as Democratic National Convention kicks off with protests

The eyes of the nation turned to Chicago on Monday for the start of the Democratic National Convention, an event that will lead to the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Protests began Sunday before the convention's official start. Police temporarily shut down some streets in response. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker also called in more than 150 members of the Illinois National Guard to help city, county and state police officers. Some storefronts were boarded up, but others were not.
 
Many protestors called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Others called for an end to the war in Ukraine. Still others were focused on protecting abortion rights. Planned Parenthood is providing free vasectomies, medication abortion, and emergency contraception from a mobile clinic parked blocks from the convention.

The police presence throughout downtown was visible, especially near the United Center and McCormick Place. Special fencing surrounded the Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse, the area's federal courthouse. City officials used various vehicles to block off areas near McCormick Place, including snowplows, heavy-duty police vehicles and other trucks.