Democrats boasted that their convention would be unified, unlike the occasionally messy Republican National Convention. But Bernie Sanders supporters made sure people arriving by train at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia would know that they didn’t stand with Hillary Clinton.
The party seemed confident that Sanders and Clinton supporters could come together for the convention — but that was before leaked Democratic National Convention emails suggested the DNC had favored Clinton’s campaign over the Vermont senator’s.
Inside the hall, the party presented a message of unity. Outside, that wasn’t the vibe. The crowd included liberal Democrats unhappy with Clinton, people who only got involved in the political process to support Sanders — and people who just want a cleaner political process.
Some Sanders supporters said they still hoped Bernie could be the Democratic nominee, perhaps because of the scandal over the leaked DNC email.
Kelly Brooks and Jordan Stevens traveled from Lansing, Michigan, to support Sanders. “He’s not out. Not until the delegates vote,” said Brooks, 27 (left). Stevens, 23, said Clinton is trying to get women to vote for her “just because she’s a woman … and I think that’s the exact opposite of feminism.”
Brooks is considering voting for Green Party candidate Jill Stein. “Bernie or Jill but never Hill,” she said. “And if Trump gets elected I’m gonna have to move to Canada.”
The rally included causes not directly related to the question of whether to support Clinton or Sanders.
Some of the most vocal protesters chanted that they were undocumented and unashamed.
A Philadelphia rally wouldn’t be complete without an appearance by this classic “Always Sunny in Philadelphia” character. The Green Man endorsement will be crucial in the 2o16 presidential race.
