Rawlings-Blake drew significant criticism after her controversial handling of the unrest in Baltimore after the death of Freddie Gray in police custody last April. “Today, she will gavel in the opening of the convention”.
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Wasserman Schultz was booed Monday morning during a pre-convention breakfast with the Florida delegation, leading many to believe that she could face a similar reaction from the convention’s mainstage.
Instead, Rawlings Blake, who also serves as the convention’s secretary, received a warm welcome from attendees.
It didn’t start the way it was supposed to, but the Democratic National Convention is now officially under way.
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake bangs the gavel calling to order the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Florida congresswoman entered the room to a standing ovation and cheers from her supporters, but quickly faced a torrent of jeers.
“I can see there’s a little bit of interest in my being here, and I can appreciate that interest”, she said.
Meanwhile, Maryland delegates and officials at the convention said they were happy to hear Bernie Sanders urge supporters to back Hillary Clinton at a time when the party needs to come together.
Cheryl Glenn, a delegate for Sanders, says it’s important for Sanders to support Clinton, so Democrats are successful in November.
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Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, who is a member of the Democratic Platform Committee, said she she’s confident Sanders will focus on unity in his speech Monday night.
