By Ken Forman
Editor’s note: The following is the second of two student reports on Hofstra University’s coverage of the recent Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
My time at the 2024 Democratic Convention in Chicago was chaotic and stressful at times, but I would not change anything about it. Not only did I witness history, but also I was fortunate to broaden my journalistic skills while reporting from the ground, which only furthered my confidence that journalism is the route I want to go in my career.
Fellow WRHU reporter Camryn Bowden and I hit the ground running as soon as we landed in the Windy City. After assembling stories for WLIW-FM, we were off to the United Center. I had watched parts of President Biden’s speech from the prior night, and the convention seemed to possess a fun and exciting vibe. So, I mistakenly assumed this energy would continue not only inside the arena, but outside as well. What I quickly came across were several different protests filling the streets as delegates made their way to the arena. I had known there would be protests throughout, but this one caught me by surprise because multiple groups were involved.
I immediately found people representing the nonprofit People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the feminist anti-war group Code Pink: Women for Peace, someone opposing Project 2025, as well as advocates campaigning for Tamie Wilson, who is vying for the seat of Ohio U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan. I approached as many people as I could and asked questions, which was no different than the reporting I have done for WRHU. What I learned through talking with people was that many were not necessarily there because they supported Vice President Harris or opposed former President Trump. They were there because they felt strongly about their causes, and to them that weighed more than political affiliation. They were using the DNC as a stage because they understood national and international media organizations would be intensely focused on Chicago, and there would be many members of Congress present.
Not only did I have to make sure I got the voices I needed to hear from, but it was also a challenge having to ensure I had enough water to combat the high temperatures and conserve as much phone battery as I could. Yet, in those moments when it would have been easy to give up, I reminded myself that this was the path I chose, and the only way I could learn was through experiences such as this, no matter how challenging they might be. When it was all done, it meant a lot to be able to hear people’s voices in this historic setting.
That same night, I was fortunate to hear former President Obama speak from the convention floor. He is someone whom I was used to watching on my television for much of my life. So, to be a part of that setting and to feel the energy that the United Center crowd gave him felt surreal. The next day also featured a lineup of speakers that included several politicians and celebrities whom I was also used to hearing. I thought they did a good job in supporting Harris, but also in introducing Gov. Tim Walz to the rest of the nation.
Our final day in Chicago was by far the busiest and most hurried. We went to Union Park to cover a pro-Palestine protest. I was speaking with one protester when suddenly I spotted former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy casually stroll through the park. As members of the media began to swarm him, I immediately took off towards him, microphone in hand, determined to record everything he said.
Then the protests started to pick up in intensity, and in that moment, I had to both continue to get as much sound as I could, while making sure I was at a safe distance. Minutes later, I spoke with my WRHU colleagues back home for about seven minutes, giving them the full story live on the radio. I had never done a live hit quite like that before, but I took pride in being the one to deliver this developing news story to our listeners on Long Island.
Back at the United Center, the crowds were even larger than before, as everyone eagerly anticipated Harris’s nomination speech. Though I was unable to secure a seat, just hearing everyone around me, as well as her speech itself, gave me all I needed to know, and I soaked it all in.
I am beyond thankful for this opportunity, and there are countless people I must thank for helping me along my journalism journey to make this possible. I will long look back fondly on this experience, and I hope there are more in store for me as I further my career.
