Eva Longoria Will Kick Off DNC, Adding to List of Latinos That Includes AOC, Julián Castro

The main event of the Democrat Party is being held virtually for the first time.

The Democratic National Convention (DNC) officially begins today at 9pm ET, with more names being added to the schedule that already includes a much-expected 60-second speech by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s on Tuesday.

Hollywood star Eva Longoria will deliver the introduction to the section of the program called “We the People.” The Texan-born star will address the DNC for her second time—the first time being in 2016, when she delivered an impassionate speech as a Mexican-American, denouncing Trump’s hateful speech against Latino immigrants.

Other Latinos scheduled to speak include during the 4-day event that will be held virtually for the very first time include New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (Thursday), Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (Monday), and former Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro (Thursday). 

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While Castro will take part in the DNC on a panel, in an interview with MSNBC said he was disappointed by the lack of Latino representation at this year’s DNC. 

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This year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the DNC will be entirely virtual for the first time and feature other high-profile speakers, including former President Barack Obama, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Cory Booker and, of course, VP-pick Sen. Kamala Harris.

Here are some highlights of Latino speakers on tonight’s program, which begins at 9 p.m. (EST): 

• Introduction to “We the People” section by Eva Longoria. 
• Multicultural choir with singers representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. 
• Reverend Gabriel Salguero, President of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition
• Kristin Urquiza (a woman whose father lost his life to COVID-19) 
• Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto

The DNC takes place tonight through the 20th, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. (EST). The official live stream for the DNC will be hosted on DemConvention.com.

Click here for a full schedule of DNC events.