Hundreds of protesters took different routes in Philadelphia on Monday and the drama in the city and outside of the convention center seems unlikely to let up.
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Bernie Sanders called for unity in the Democratic party, some of his supporters got into a shouting match with presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton’s supporters at a Texas delegation breakfast at the Democratic National Convention.
Liberal favorite Elizabeth Warren, senator from MA, and Sanders himself also did their part to bring along his fans, some of whom were in tears by the time the Vermont senator took the stage to shouts of “We love you, Bernie”.
Sanders endorsed Clinton a while ago, but his supporters hadn’t and they dragged that battle to the floor of the convention, hoping to kick some life into it. Some wore tape or tied fabric across their mouths to signify that they’re being silenced. “He led us to the promised land”.
Republicans-who have fielded celebrities for major office (Reagan, Schwarzenegger, Trump) and invited Clint Eastwood to speak to a chair at the RNC-have historically been more likely than Democrats to insult famous people and the politicians who hobnob with them as denizens of an effete liberal Hollywood, out of touch with the values of regular Americans.
“This was not a convention”.
Black Men for Bernie founder Bruce Carter said Monday’s speeches from Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. “We were treated like lepers”.
Now that she’s survived an unexpectedly tough nomination battle against Sanders-who wanted to keep expanding health care to reach the 29 million Americans who are still uninsured-she has gone farther.
Throughout the day, thousands on separate marches made their way, loudly but peacefully, down Broad Street to the convention. By early evening, a large crowd had formed outside the subway station closest to the arena. “What matters at this convention is talking about Hillary Clinton’s lifelong fight for working families and vision for the future”. “The nomination was stolen”.
He is however the father of a Sanders delegate, and a staunch supporter himself. Tea Party Republicans did a similar thing in 2008 which contributed to the election of Barack Obama.
“What we must do, or forever look back and regret, is defeat Donald Trump, and we must elect Hillary Clinton”, Sanders told the rowdy crowd, many of whom had left their tables to rush the stage when he was introduced for the unscheduled speech.
“He persuaded no one to vote for Hillary”, said Greg Gregg, a retired nurse from Salem, Oregon, who intends to cast his ballot in November for Green Party candidate Jill Stein.
Another series of protests and rallies was planned for Tuesday, the anger reflecting the rift inside the Democratic Party and the convention hall itself between Sanders’ supporters and Clinton’s.
“It is easy to boo”, Sanders said in response.
Clinton supporters began chanting “Hil-la-ry, Hil-la-ry”, but they were quickly drowned out by chants of “Bernie, Bernie!”
“The media is not even repeating the accusations made by the Clinton campaign”, he said, “instead ignoring them and just repeating Peskov’s denials”.
Judi Lerma is a Sanders delegate from San Antonio who says she’s not surprised to learn about Wasserman Schultz’s anti-Sanders emails, or the decision by Party insiders to force her out.
Police estimated 5,500 people took part in Monday’s opening-day protests.
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“I don’t think there are places he’s gonna be a problem”, she said. Throngs of delegates waving “Michelle” signs roared in approval at the first lady’s arrival, and they listened rapturously as she embraced Clinton as the successor to her husband’s historic presidency.
