Sanders supporters stage walkout after Clinton officially nominated: 'She will never get my vote'
BY: WILLIAM STEAKIN
A crowd of delegates walked out of the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday in protest, storming the media tent and staging a sit-in moments after Hillary Clinton was officially declared the party's presidential nominee.
Shortly after Clinton crossed the delegate threshold, it was announced that the former secretary of state was officially the first female presidential nominee of a major political party. Dozens of delegates quickly marched out of the Wells Fargo Center while chanting "the world is watching," and "this is what democracy looks like."
Protesters placed tape over their mouths that read, "the DNC silenced me," and "solidarity." Some demonstrators carried signs reading "this is what a stolen election looks like," "Bernie or Bust," and "the Democratic party just elected Donald Trump."
"She will never get my vote."
The scene was an emotional one, with one delegate breaking into tears while discussing why she decided to walk out of the convention.
Indiana delegate Dianne Salazar talked with tears in her eyes about how Bernie Sanders' ran a campaign that was unlike any other that she has seen.
"He ran a candidacy that was just above reproach in every way, and it saddens us greatly to see what happened today. We love him because he was the kind of person that walked the talk his entire life. Today our hearts are broken," Salazar said.
Click through images from the protest:
When asked if she would support Clinton in November, now that the former first lady was officially the Democratic nominee, Salazar offered a blunt response. "She will never get my vote."
"It's not because I don't want a women president, it's not that I don't respect the presidency, or the Democratic party, it's because she is not the women that we should have put up. She is not the candidate of our times. We have to have a new way of thinking."
Hawaii delegate Petra Halperin, who also walked out, says she feels she was let down by Sanders when he endorsed Clinton for president. "I am disappointed," Halperin said.
"Bernie, in my opinion, could have taken a stand and taken in these millions of people with him." Halperin continued, "I'm disappointed he's not endorsing Jill," referring to Green Party nominee Jill Stein.
Alex Davis, a Sanders delegate from Ohio said "I don't care" when asked about Sanders backing Clinton. For Davis the movement that Sanders started is ultimately bigger than Sanders himself. "Bernie Sanders tried to get us to vote for Clinton, but Bernie Sanders told us this movement is bigger than him and we took him seriously."
"It's about us not him," said Davis.
