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Wednesday September 5

CHARLOTTE, N.C. President Barack Obama is expected to arrive in Charlotte on Wednesday as the Democratic National Convention moves into its official proceedings on Wednesday.

Obama is expected to address DNC delegates and other guests during a speech on Thursday. But attendees will hear from a former commander-in-chief this evening.

Former President Bill Clinton is expected to deliver the party’s official nominating speech during a 10:30 p.m. appearance at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Outside of the convention hall, more protests and other demonstrations are planned in uptown. In addition, additional road closures and restrictions will start as DNC activities wrap at the basketball arena on Wednesday and shift over to Bank of America stadium tomorrow.

And, yes, rainy weather is still in the forecast though temperatures could be slightly cooler on Wednesday.

Here’s a look at what all is in store for Wednesday.

The forecast:
Some rain could begin moving into the area after 10 a.m., and overall there’s a 50 percent chance of precipitation, according to the National Weather Service.

Looking ahead to Thursday, current forecasts show a 40 percent chance of rain and thunderstorm.

Traffic

People traveling in uptown and Ballantyne will begin encountering a new set of road closures and restrictions as crews start to prepare for the final day of DNC proceedings on Thursday. Meanwhile, most streets that were closed during the past few days will continue to remain off-limits for most cars and parking.

Among the new changes, traffic on eastbound Ballantyne Commons Parkway will be closed at Johnston Road starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Westbound traffic on the parkway is still blocked between Johnston and North Community House Road. See a map of all the Ballantyne-area closures at http://bit.ly/OKqnDI

Meanwhile in uptown, the street closures will start moving closer to Bank of America Stadium where Obama and Biden are currently expected to deliver their acceptance speeches on Thursday. Other closures include the I-277 ramps at South College Street (east exit) and West Carson Boulevard.

View all of the uptown road closures for Wednesday at http://bit.ly/RDXxri

For example, at 6 p.m. Mint Street will be closed to traffic between Carson Boulevard and Levine Avenue of the Arts. Graham Street also will close between Mint and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Additional road closures will go into affect just after midnight.

Wednesday Convention highlights

• 5 p.m. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, convention chairman, calls the convention to order

• 10 p.m. Elizabeth Warren, consumer watchdog and U.S. Senate candidate in Massachusetts, speaks to the DNC

10:30 p.m. Former President Bill Clinton gives official nominating speech

Obama arrives

Obama is expected to fly into Charlotte this afternoon and his arrival will temporarily disrupt flights and traffic.

The schedule calls for Air Force One to land at the N.C. Air National Guard base at 2:45 Wednesday. Those events will delay flights at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and the motorcades taking him from and to the airport will disrupt traffic. Stay tuned to www.charobs.com later today for traffic updates.

Obama’s arrival is not open to the public. Biden came to Charlotte on Tuesday.

Backup plan for Thursday speeches

DNC committee officials confirmed Tuesday that bad weather could potentially force the Obama and Biden nomination speeches Thursday from Bank of America Stadium. As of now, the speeches are still on for the football stadium, though officials said people who received a community credential for the event to register them at www.demconvention.com/about/register to get updates about any changes in plan.

Any changes in the location could be a logistical headache, in part, because the arena is much smaller than Bank of America stadium. Officials said “tens of thousands” of the community credentials were distributed, while DNC delegates, certain donors and Obama campaign volunteers and others also received passes.

Protests, marches

More protests are expected Wednesday, with campers at the Occupy Charlotte site in Marshall Park saying they will march again. Also, most of the 10 undocumented immigrants arrested Tuesday during a protest have bonded out of jail, records show.

But there will be another protest march Wednesday – from a different political direction than the Occupy members, many of whom are on the left side of the spectrum.

Several hundred people are expected to participate in a Right to Life March sponsored by America, Defend Life. The group has the strong support of the Roman Catholic diocese of Charlotte. The march begins at noon at the Diocese of Charlotte Pastoral Center at 1123 S. Church St. in uptown. Participants plan to march to Trade and Tryon streets to hear guest speakers.

Later in the day comes “ Rock the Red 2012,” a festival for conservatives that’ll feature speakers and musical acts. The event is set to begin at 4 p.m. at The Hunter Farm in Weddington. Among those scheduled to talk or perform are Sheriff Joe Arpaio from Maricopa, Ariz. (8:30 p.m.); Richard Hudson, a candidate for the Eighth Congressional District (5:30 p.m.) and the Chris Lane Band (9:10 p.m.