The nation's eyes turned to Chicago on Monday for the start of the Democratic National Convention, an event that will lead to the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris.

The protests began on Sunday before the official start of the convention. Police temporarily closed some streets in response. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also called up more than 150 members of the Illinois National Guard to assist city, county and state police officers. Some storefronts were boarded up, but others were not.

Many protesters called for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Others called for an end to the war in Ukraine. Still others focused on protecting the right to abortion. Planned Parenthood offers free vasectomies, medication abortions and emergency contraception from a mobile clinic parked a few blocks from the convention.

The police presence throughout downtown was visible, especially near the United Center and McCormick Place. Special fencing surrounded the Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse, the area's federal courthouse. City officials used several vehicles to block off areas near McCormick Place, including snowplows, heavy police vehicles and other trucks.