Day 2 was the roll call vote. This is why we were here—to show strength in numbers and cast our votes for Sanders. Everyone was dismayed to see that on the first roll call, superdelegates were lumped in with pledged delegates—not what most were expecting, given the campaign’s lack of communication about things like this—dramatically overstating Clinton wins statewide and significantly decreasing Sanders’ significance in the election to the viewing public. This didn’t seem fair. Sanders delegates, already miserable and upset at the whole process, stormed out chanting and organized an Occupy-type sit-in in the media tent. I had already left before this happened, but apparently they were locked in the tent by security for quite some time. Emotions were raw, and there were tears and hugs all around. The finality of it all just got to everyone. The grieving process was just beginning. Relations between Sanders delegates and Clinton delegates were now circling the toilet. I saw harassment from the Clinton side (“We don’t want you here”)—pushing, flipping off and cursing—even, as I stated earlier, throwing water and food at us. Our 17-year-old delegate, a well-behaved girl, was a victim of this and was very badly shaken. The enforcers took people’s credentials away for no apparent reason, barred some of us from getting in, and dealt with us in a very aggressive manner at times. There are agitators and flat-out jerks in every crowd, definitely on our side as well, but the balance in my area tipped to the Clinton people and their handlers, who saw us as childish interlopers, perhaps understandably. Initially, organizers only allowed official signs, and our “No TPP” signs were confiscated. This was only sporadically enforced later, but our crew became quite savvy about hiding their homemade signs anyway. When we actually wanted the official signs, as was the case when Obama spoke, we weren’t given them. I tried to get some, but our whole Sanders section was refused. The Berners around me still love Obama and his family, some having worked hard for him, despite his support for the TPP. Plans had been made to hold up both the “No TPP” and the “Obama” signs. The next day, the Hillary signs did not have as many takers, although some people used markers to turn them into signs that read “Liar.” Just reporting the facts, ma’am. As with the chants, the Clintonistas got smart, and banners were unfurled to cover our banners, and American flags were proudly waved to mask our signs. By the last day I felt so uncomfortable about the whole situation that I watched most of the program from the bar. As an aside, I noted a severe disconnect not only between the Clinton campaign and this progressive army, but between the Sanders campaign and them as well. Sanders had negotiated his deal and really did seem to want his people to fall in line. He sent us all texts to that effect, and his floor whips were probably more repressive than those of Clinton. Former Sanders staffers I know really did not agree with the chanting and sign-waving and texted me to say so. One, now a Clinton staffer, asked whether sending over spokespeople or celebrities would work to calm the raging masses. As if. These Sandernistas are serious and concerned with issues. No celebrity, surrogate or politician, including Sanders himself, will lead them astray from their mission.
The Future
I do not want to romanticize what went down; however, I found the whole thing heartbreaking, because most of the delegates arrived in Philadelphia full of idealism and determination to continue the revolution. Yes, they were—and will continue to be in varying degrees—militant in their beliefs and actions, and not much concerned with etiquette. Clearly, there was a lack of information going in and an extreme culture clash with the Clinton establishment, and things spiraled out of control. One delegate told me he’s worried about convincing those they brought into the system with promises of reform to stay there, now that their initial suspicions appear to have come true. Perhaps the system will not work for them. At this convention, the appearance of unity seemed more important than unity itself. There were some quiet rebellions; astute teleprompter-watchers noticed that the Rev. William Barber’s ad-libbed cry for the safety of both Palestinian and Israeli children had probably not passed muster. By the end, many Sanders supporters were battle-hardened and determined not to capitulate. This had little to do with the fact that Clinton won the nomination, and more to do with the sense that they are not being heard, are being silenced by white noise, real or imagined. Most want to be part of the party, but want the party to want them. Many in our delegation said they were ready to leave the party, but I think that will change. Time may heal these wounds; I hope so, because we need them. The Bernie Nation really cares about the issues. They want a voice and a seat at the table. Most of my friends and family have been with Clinton from the start, and now, so am I. I know there is congruence between both sides on more issues than not, and the idea of Trump as president is unthinkable. Anyway, in my view (to quote Rumsfeld), “You go to war with the army you have.” Meanwhile, the revolution will continue. I do worry about our prospects in this election, and I believe that it’s essential that progressives become engaged and are included. Commitment to meaningful reform of the DNC (a progressive co-chair?) would go a long way, as would strong, specific, full-throated commitments and plans to stop the TPP and fracking, take big money out of politics, provide universal health care and at least be open to progressive viewpoints on other issues. These Sanders delegates are among the best in the party, and I hate to see them dismissed and now demonized, however “rude” they might have seemed and actually been at times. Dissent is and has always been a crucial part of the political process—that’s how change happens. Some of the tactics used at the convention were clearly counterproductive and not well thought out, but they came from the heart. These delegates are the street warriors for social, economic, political and racial justice, though, and they are the future. Let them leave at your peril, Democrats. To the DNC and the Clinton campaign I say: What you need most is not their silence, but their passion. They have been knocking on doors, canvassing and bringing many, many new people into the system to vote. They and those they’ve brought in want to believe that the system can work for all of us. Help them. What you should fear most is not when they shout, but when they walk away. Jamie McGurk’s career has encompassed both the entertainment and political worlds, often focusing on the intersection of the two. McGurk has her own film and television company, Off Balance Productions, and has been politically and philanthropically active for many years. She also has raised three children. Your support matters…

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#activism#bernie sanders#delegates#democratic national convention#dissent#dnc#hillary clinton#national#politics#progressivism#protest#tpp#trans-pacific partnership#usa