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Sanders Supporters Walk Out, Stage Sit-in to Protest Nomination

HeadlineJul 27, 2016

But hundreds of Sanders supporters walked off the convention floor in protest and headed to the nearby media tent. This is Vermont delegate Shyla Nelson.

Shyla Nelson: “This was an entirely organic, grassroots, non-hierarchical effort among a group of grassroots—a group of delegates who were hearing increasingly deep, deep concerns from constituents that their voices were not going to be heard at this convention, and a feeling of moral obligation to ensure that we do what we can to represent them as they would want us to represent them here.”

The Sanders delegates later took over the media tent and held a sit-in. Many taped their mouths shut, with the word “silenced” written in marker over the tape. Meanwhile, inside the convention center, former President Bill Clinton spoke about Hillary Clinton.

Bill Clinton: “When I was president, I worked hard to give you more peace and shared prosperity, to give you an America where nobody is invisible or counted out. But for this time, Hillary is uniquely qualified to seize the opportunities and reduce the risk we face, and she is still the best darn changemaker I have ever known.”

Later, Hillary Clinton addressed the convention center via video stream. Her video began with an image of a glass montage of all 44 male presidents shattering, symbolizing the shattering of the glass ceiling.

Hillary Clinton: “What an incredible honor that you have given me! And I can’t believe we just put the biggest crack in that glass ceiling yet. Thanks to you and to everyone who’s fought so hard to make this possible. This is really your victory. This is really your night. And if there are any little girls out there who stayed up late to watch, let me just say: I may become the first woman president, but one of you is next.”

That was Hillary Clinton, speaking via video stream from New York. Outside the convention center, crowds demonstrated late into the night. The media collective Unicorn Riot reports authorities used pepper spray against crowds protesting outside the gates of the convention center. It also reports former Green Party vice-presidential candidate Cheri Honkala was arrested.

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