Sanders Texts Delegates Personally to Ask Them Not to Protest at Convention

Sam ReismanJul 25th, 2016, 5:41 pm
 

Sen. Bernie Sanders personally texted his delegates Monday night, asking them not to protest on the floor of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

“I ask you as a personal courtesy to me to not engage in any kind of protest on the floor. It’s of utmost importance that you explain this to your delegations. — Bernie,” read the missive.

Contrary to some early speculation that Sanders would withhold his endorsement on the convention floor, much like Sen. Ted Cruz did at the RNC last week, the Vermont senator has thrown his unalloyed support begind the presumptive nominee. Not so his supporters. The text message follows several instances inside and outside the Wells Fargo Center of Sanders supporters staging protests and making known their discontent with Hillary Clinton.

Sanders’ campaign also sent an emails to delegates, signed by the senator. It read in part, “Our credibility as a movement will be damaged by booing, turning of backs, walking or other similar displays. That’s what the coporate media wants. That’s what Donald Trump wants. But that’s not what will expand the progressive movement in this country.

Addressing his supporters Monday morning, Sanders received a chorus of jeers when he exhorted them to vote for Clinton.

Outside the arena, protesters from the group Democracy Spring were obstructing the entrance to prevent delegates from making their way to the convention, CNN reported.

The situation has been enflamed by the leak last Friday of over 19,000 emails from DNC officials, showing that the committee leadership, far from being neutral, had grown increasingly exasperated by Sanders’ campaign. The committee apologized Monday.

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Sam Reisman (@thericeman) is a staff editor at Mediaite.

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