CHICAGO — Democrats aren’t the only people in Chicago this week looking to make their message heard. The family members of six of the remaining eight American hostages held in Gaza are on the ground too, attending more than 40 events and meetings to remind anyone who will listen that their loved ones — five of whom are believed to be alive — are still held captive by Hamas.

On Tuesday morning, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) invited Ruby Chen to a breakfast for hundreds of New Yorkers. Chen’s son, Itay, was killed on Oct. 7, and Hamas is refusing to return his remains to his family. Itay’s brother, Roy, was there, too.

“This is the sadness of it all, and the viciousness of Hamas. They still have his body. They will not return it, as of yet,” Schumer said at the event. “But let me just have a hope and a prayer that the negotiations that are going on now with Secretary [of State Tony] Blinken will bring home those hostages alive, and the bodies of those who unfortunately passed away.” 

“Ruby,” Schumer continued, “we are with you guys. Let’s have a round of applause for this man’s strength and courage and everything that he has done.” Chen received a standing ovation. On his way out, he posed for a picture with progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who used her address at the convention on Monday night to praise Harris for working toward a cease-fire and hostage deal. 

Other hostage family members in Chicago include Jonathan Dekel-Chen, father of Sagui Dekel-Chen; Ronen, Orna and Daniel Neutra, parents and brother of Omer Neutra; Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin; Liz Hirsh Naftali, great-aunt of released hostage Abigail Mor Edan; and Andrea Weinstein and Lea Silvert, sister and niece of murdered hostages Gad Haggai and Judy Weinstein. 

Many of the family members were scheduled to speak before friendly crowds, at events organized by Jewish organizations. Near the United Center, the Israeli American Council set up a so-called “Hostage Square” to call attention to the plight of the hostages, with art exhibits and public memorials honoring them.

But perhaps more important for the hostage families is the opportunity to speak to the diverse convention goers for whom the return of the hostages is not a central concern. They’re using the meetings to advocate for a deal that will bring the hostages home. 

On Tuesday morning, several members of the national finance committee for Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign — a group of high-level fundraisers and donors — heard from some hostage family members at an informal breakfast.

The Goldberg-Polins were at the United Center on Monday night during the convention, but a spokesperson working with them declined to say who invited them. Reports have suggested some of the hostage family members will speak at the convention this week, but the spokesperson declined to comment. 

Orna and Ronen Neutra attended a Tuesday lunch event hosted by Agudath Israel, during which Orna recited a Hebrew and English recitation of Psalm 130. “Oh Lord, hearken to my voice,” Orna read. “May Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.”