DNC 2024 Day 1 live updates: Emotional Joe Biden casts election as choice to 'save democracy'

"I hope you know how grateful I am to all of you," Biden said.

Democrats kicked off their convention Monday with a who's who of guests who all touted Vice President Kamala Harris' run for the White House.

Several topics came up during the night including the future of reproductive rights and Project 2025.

Harris made a surprise appearance after several Democratic VIPS took the stage, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

The main stars of the night were some of the Democrats' longstanding figures including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

But the main spotlight came as President Joe Biden spoke to the cheering crowd, reflecting on his four years as president and his decision to "pass the torch" to Harris.


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Some 'uncommitted' delegates say they have 'hope' with Harris as nominee

Several "uncommitted" delegates say they are not planning to disrupt the speeches tonight at the DNC.

Violet Olds from Kentucky and Mohamad Khatib from Florida say they want Harris to win, but their goal is to send her a strong message.

"I'm sure we're all going to fall in line when it comes to November, but as for now, we are here to speak as Americans, supporting our Palestinian American brothers and sisters to send a message," Olds said.

Khatib said Harris is a welcome change to the top of the ticket.

"When Harris came in and became the designated nominee, she made statements that are showing her understanding and appreciation of the suffering of the Palestinian people. She made the point that she's not going to stay silent."

But Khatib said words aren't enough: "What our communities are saying is that we want Kamala Harris to take actions to support these statements that she started making."

Olds said that now, under Harris, she feels "hopeful" about the future.

"That's one of the messages that the whole of the DNC is trying to conjure: hope, joy, and that we want those abroad to have that same hope and joy that we have," Olds said.

-ABC News' Selina Wang, Tia Humphries and Mitchell Alva


1st night of the DNC kicks off

The first night of the DNC is underway in Chicago, with the convention officially called to order.

Tonight's theme is "For the people" and the evening is being hosted by actor Tony Goldwyn -- who famously played a president on TV in the ABC series "Scandal."


4 arrested after some protesters breach security fence: Police

Four people were arrested after several protesters broke through an outer security fence outside the United Center during the pro-Palestinian rally "March on the DNC," police said.

There is a heavy police presence outside the venue, where the DNC will soon kick off.

The inner perimeter fence was not breached, police said.


Biden touts accomplishments in video prominently featuring Harris ahead of DNC speech

President Joe Biden posted a video on social media touting his accomplishments and prominently features Vice President Kamala Harris just ahead of his speech at the DNC on Monday evening.

"Thank you, America, for keeping the faith," Biden wrote in a post on X.

Throughout the video, images of Harris flash on the screen, including of her meeting with Parkland shooting victims' parents, meeting with world leaders and sharing a moment with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

-ABC News' Fritz Farrow, Gabriella Abdul-Hakim and Will McDuffie