As Democrats gathered to nominate Kamala Harris for the presidency, numerous posts across platforms claimed the Chicago, Illinois, venue was noticeably missing a key symbol of the United States: the American flag. But such claims are false; video and photos show the Stars and Stripes featured prominently throughout the Democratic National Convention.
"Not a single American Flag in sight at the DNC Rally. But other countries flags are being flown high as can be! Shows what party is for America," says a Facebook post shared August 19, 2024, the first day of the DNC.
Screenshot from Facebook taken August 26, 2024
Similar posts spread widely across Facebook and other platforms throughout the four-day event, which culminated with Vice President Harris accepting the party's nomination to take on Donald Trump in November's presidential election.
Some protesters demonstrating outside the venue against Israel's war in Gaza did carry Palestine flags.
But the social media claims that American flags were absent from the DNC are false.
Live broadcasts, footage and photos taken during the event show the banners were plentiful each night, both on stage and in the crowd.
captured US flags adorning the stage each day of the convention as speakers such as Harris -- who addressed the crowd on the first and fourth nights -- and President Joe Biden gave remarks. They were also displayed on stage for the Pledge of Allegiance, brandished during musical performances and shown digitally on the United Center's screens. On the final night of the convention, audience members waved them en masse.
Harris wore an American flag lapel pin on her jacket as she accepted the nomination.
Chair of the Democratic National Committee Jaime Harrison (3rd from L) and his sons recite the US Pledge of Allegiance on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 19, 2024
(AFP / Mandel NGAN)
US President Joe Biden speaks on stage on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 19, 2024
(AFP / Robyn Beck)
Former US First Lady Michelle Obama speaks on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 20, 2024
(AFP / Mandel NGAN)
Former US President Barack Obama speaks on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 20, 2024
(AFP / Robyn Beck)
Minnesota Governor and 2024 Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz waves as he arrives onstage to speak on the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 21, 2024
(AFP / SAUL LOEB)
US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris waves as she concludes her remarks on the fourth and last day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 22, 2024
(AFP / Eva HAMBACH)
US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris salutes the crows as she leaves the stage on the fourth and last day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 22, 2024
(AFP / CHARLY TRIBALLEAU)
L-R: Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz and Gwen Walz on the fourth and last day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 22, 2024
(AFP / Mandel NGAN)
Attendees wave US flags after US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris spoke on the last day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 22, 2024
(AFP / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS)
Delegates wave US flags on the fourth and last day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 22, 2024
(AFP / KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI)
AFP has debunked other misinformation about the DNC, including here, here, here and here.
porting on misinformation about US politics here.
