Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago - watch livestream

Watch live as the 2024 Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago on Monday 19 August.

Joe Biden , forced to abandon his presidential reelection bid, will make a speech to urge fellow Democrats to unite behind Kamala Harris in the fight for the White House against Republican rival Donald Trump .

Democrats gathered for their national convention at United Center, home to Chicago’s basketball and hockey teams, while hundreds of protesters assembled at a nearby park to pressure the party to drop military support for Israel’s Gaza offensive.

President Biden’s appearance to start the four-day event will serve as a symbolic passing of the torch to his No. 2 after he quit the race under pressure from top Democrats worried that the 81-year-old incumbent was too old to win or serve another four years.

He will use his speech to portray Former President Trump as a threat to American democracy while touting the achievements of the Biden-Harris administration.

Vice President Harris will formally accept the Democratic nomination on Thursday night with a highly anticipated speech.

If elected on 5 November, she would make US history as the first female president.