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Day Two: Who Is Speaking at the DNC

Victims' family members, politicians and performers round out the slate

Stage hands work on affixing the Democratic National Convention logo to the podium in Philadelphia. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Stage hands work on affixing the Democratic National Convention logo to the podium in Philadelphia. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

The second night of the Democratic National Convention will highlight Hillary Clinton’s “fights for her life,” issues that she has worked on over her many years in public life.  

Those include advocating for children and families, social justice, woman’s rights, 9/11 first-responders, health care and human trafficking.  

Timmy Kelly, who was born blind and with cerebral palsy, will sing the national anthem, something he has done before numerous Philadelphia Eagles games. Former Sen. Tom Harkin will speak on the 26th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Iowa Democrat was the lead sponsor of the ADA.  

He will be followed by Kentucky Secretary of State Allison Lundergan Grimes, who ran unsuccessfully for the Senate two years ago against Sen. Mitch McConnell.   

After the nominating speeches and roll call vote, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, the former head of the Democratic National Committee, will address the convention.    

Once the procedural aspects of the convention close, the Democratic heavy-hitters will come out.  

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and female Democratic members will speak next. Followed by former Georgia state Sen. Jason Carter, who will introduce a video message from his grandfather, former President Jimmy Carter.   

Next up is Sen. Charles E. Schumer, who is expected to succeed  retiring Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada next year. Actress Elizabeth Banks, who is labeled the “host for the evening,” will follow and segue the convention toward the specific issues of Clinton’s campaign.   

A few advocates for children and families will discuss Clinton’s past work and continued advocacy for at-risk kids, disabilities rights and adoption policies.   

They include Daniele Mellott who will talk about how she and her husband would not have been able to adopt their son had it not been for Clinton’s championing of the 1997 Adoption and Safe Families Act.  

Jelani Freeman, a former intern in Clinton’s Senate office, grew up in foster care and will speak about her former boss’s role in expanding opportunities for at-risk kids.   

Veteran Democratic operative Donna Brazile will then address the convention for the first time since she was announced as the interim Democratic National Committee chairwoman, taking over from Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida  who is stepping down following the convention.  

This will lead into a more targeted speeches on social justice from former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Pittsburgh Chief of Police Cameron McLay.  

Then the “Mothers of the Movement” will address the convention to raise awareness about gun violence and the excessive use of force by police. The group of eight women has all lost a child to violence and have endorsed Clinton’s presidential bid. They include:  

Gwen Carr, whose son,  Eric Garner, was killed by police officers in Staten Island, New York.  

Sybrina Fulton, whose son, Trayvon Martin, was shot and killed by the neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman in 2012.  

And Lezley McSpadden, whose son, Michael Brown, was shot and killed by police in Fergusion, Missouri.  

The night will then turn to women’s issues.   

Speakers include Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, actresses America Fererra and Lena Dunham, and retiring California Sen. Barbara Boxer.  

Actress Debra Messing will talk about Clinton’s work for the survivors and first responders of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Former New York police detective Joe Sweeney will speak about his experiences as a first responder, followed by Lauren Manning and New York Rep. Joseph Crowley.   

And Lauren Manning will describe her recovery from severe burns she received on 9/11. Manning worked on the 105th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center for the investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald. She was in the hospital for six months for burns that covered more than 80 percent of her body.     

The convention next moves to health care, when speakers will include Ryan Moore, who has spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia dwarfism and has known Hillary Clinton since 1994, and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.     

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar is slated to talk about Clinton’s time as secretary of state.  

Ima Matul, a survivor of sex trafficking, will talk about Clinton’s work to stop the illegal sex trade of woman.  

And former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is scheduled to address the convention right before former President Bill Clinton gives the night’s final speech.   

Grammy-winning singer Alicia Keys will be the last scheduled performer, just after actress Meryl Streep introduces a film, most likely one about the presumptive nominee.   

Here is a partial list of speakers for Tuesday. 


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