Two names were on the minds of politically and culturally interested Chicagoans on Thursday: Kamala Harris and pop superstar Beyoncé.
And even though the event was held at the United Center, the excitement spilled over into parties across the city, including a small crowd at the Chicago Bears’ home stadium, Soldier Field. There, Common, a South Side native, took the stage just after 7 p.m.: “It’s a wonderful day to be at the DNC. In 2024, we’re changing the world and we’re doing it for the people. Where are the people?”
Some in the crowd wore Comma La T-shirts — one of them several clever sentences Seen on merchandise in Chicago this week – while others were dressed all in white, a nod to the women’s suffrage movement and a theme also spotted at the United Center.
Participants in a Soldier Field Watch Party (from left) included Mari Manglaras, Derrick Shenauot and Lyndley St. John-Hendershott.
Sofie Hernandez-Simeonidis/WBEZ
At Soldier Field, Derrick Shenauot and his wife, Cathy, arrived from Glenview wearing specially made Harris T-shirts. The shirts, which feature a collage of Harris on the front and the phrase “We’re not going back!!” on the back, were designed by a friend who bowls with his wife. Derrick was proud to have one of the first two T-shirts printed. He said he has been following politics closely since news of Harris’ nomination broke in July.
Lyndley St. John-Hendershott, a political science and history teacher from Elgin, said that while she was excited about the prospect of celebrity sightings such as Taylor Swift or Beyoncé, an appearance by a political figure would be more meaningful.
“I wouldn’t mind if (George W.) Bush showed up at the DNC,” St. John-Hendershott said.
For her, that would mean that there are “old-school Republicans who really don’t believe what else is going on, the corruption of their own party.” (One old-school Republican who will not appear is Mitt Romney. The former Republican presidential candidate joked about X today that he is not the surprise guest of the evening, adding: “So disappointing, I know!”)
Mari Manglaras of East Garfield Park was thrilled to experience this great historical moment with a crowd of like-minded people.
“I have been fighting for women’s rights since I graduated from college,” Manglaras said. “Equality is not a given, so I am very happy to see a female president.”
After an already high-profile Democratic convention (see the Obamas and a surprise visit from Oprah), the final night is expected to feature Harris’s highly anticipated speech on the national stage – and even more spectacular stars: Pink, the Chicks, actress Eva Longoria and – if the rumors are true – Beyoncé.
For most of the day, Beyoncé’s name was whispered everywhere as a special guest. the congress hall and on social media. Speculation gained a major boost in certain corners of the internet around 4 p.m. when Emmy Ruiz, the White House political director, Only a bee emoji in a post on X. Less than an hour later, she responded to her own post with, “Sorry guys, my six-year-old took my phone.”
The members of the delegation from Washington state wore outfits that united the two women of the moment: They wore bright cowboy hats and sashes that read “Cowboy Kamala,” a reference to Beyoncé’s latest album. Cowboy Carter, and the sashes of the suffragettes.
Music has already played an important role at the convention, starting with Lil Jon’s performance during the State appeal to pay tribute to John Legend and Sheila E. Prince before Governor Tim Walz’s speech on Wednesday evening.
Beyoncé has already carved out a place for herself in this campaign cycle. Her song “Freedom” has become Harris’ campaign anthem, and Queen B is giving the Democratic candidate Permission to usewhile rejecting attempts by Donald Trump’s campaign team to do the same. The artist sent the former president’s camp a Cease and desist declaration after using it in a social media video that has since been deleted.
Cassie Walker Burke and Courtney Kueppers contributed reporting.
