2024 U.S. General Elections

Michigan AG to Republicans: 'You can pry this wedding band from my cold, dead, gay hand.'

USA TODAY

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel took to the stage at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday, and spoke about freedoms secured by Democrats in her endorsement of the Harris-Walz ticket.

Nessel, Michigan's first openly gay attorney general, spoke about Vice President Kamala Harris' history of supporting the LGBTQ community when she was the attorney general of California. She noted that, in 2011, Harris refused to defend the state's ban on same-sex marriages. Nessel said she expects Harris to fight for the freedom of every American if elected as president of the United States in November.

The Democratic National Committee convention is in Chicago through Thursday and on Thursday, Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to formally accept the party's nomination for the 2024 presidential election on Nov. 5.

Watch Michigan AG Dana Nessel's speech here:

What to know about Dana Nessel

Who is she? Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel was sworn into office on January 1, 2019. Nessel, the state's first openly gay attorney general, is a former criminal prosecutor and civil rights attorney who rose to prominence prior to taking office for winning a landmark court case overturning Michigan's gay marriage ban.
What role she plays: Nessel, who is currently serving her second term as attorney general, spoke on freedoms secured by Democrats. She secured her second term in 2022 after she defeated a Michigan attorney, who led a crusade questioning the 2020 election, by nine percentage points.
Key quote: "Just as the same-sex marriage ban was overturned in California, so too was the abortion ban in Michigan. By the way, I've got a message for the Republicans and the justices of the United States Supreme Court, you can pry this wedding band from my cold, dead, gay hand," Nessel said. "I know that whether she's attorney general or president of the United States, Kamala Harris will always be in our corner."

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When and where is the DNC

The Democratic National Convention will take place from August 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois.

The United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, will be the main venue for the DNC.

Chicago has hosted the Democratic Convention 11 times, most recently in 1996 when the United Center saw President Bill Clinton was nominated for a second time.

How to watch and stream the 2024 DNC

The convention will air live on its website, from the United Center in Chicago between 6:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern (5:15 p.m. to 10 p.m Central) on Monday, and 7 p.m to 11 p.m. Eastern (6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Central) the other days.

USA TODAY will provide livestream coverage on YouTube each night of the DNC, Monday through Thursday.