Wow! Day 2 was an emotional one. Roll call, which I thought would be fairly boring, was actually a lot of fun. Each state got to say a few interesting things about themselves and then announce how many of their delegates went to each candidate.
Luis Magana, another Bernie Sanders delegate from District 4, and I walked down from our seats on to the floor so that we could get a better feel and view of each of the delegations. When Vermont was announcing their votes, as you know, Sanders gave his delegates to Secretary [Hillary] Clinton. People were screaming, cheering and booing.
After a few minutes, we looked up and noticed that about half of the seats in the convention center were empty. I figured people were going to the bathroom and getting food, etc., but I was wrong. We walked out into the hallway and there was a sea of Sanders delegates walking toward the exit.
I was shocked. I have heard the rumors that Bernie delegates planed to walk out, but I didn't actually think anyone would do it. We walked with them out into the hallway where Jill Stein — of the Green Party — was chatting with Bernie delegates.
Soon after that, Luis got a phone call from a Texas delegate telling us to go to the outdoor press tent. Bernie delegates were conducting a silent protest there and some had even been locked inside the press tent by law enforcement officials. There were so many cops I could hardly believe it. Luckily, none of the protesters were violent or causing trouble. Eventually, the cops let out the delegates from inside the tent.
From there, everyone walked out into the street where thousands of Bernie supporters and Black Lives Matter activists were united in protest of the convention. We saw everything from a candlelight vigil to singing and chanting. There was no violence — only peaceful demonstrations.
Thinking back on the events of today — I am concerned for my party and for my country. There is a real divide between the people inside the convention center and the people outside of it. I'm worried that if Hillary Clinton does not pull this party together by championing a strong progressive agenda, this country is going to end up with a Donald Trump presidency.
Nina Sherwood
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