Badged with credentials around their necks, thousands of democrats flooded the city of brotherly love this week to witness a moment of great historical consequence: Hillary Clinton’s nomination as the first woman candidate for President of the United States. I was fortunate enough to participate in the Democratic National Convention (DNC) and here’s what I saw:
In addition to the Bernie Sanders supporters who protested outside the Wells Fargo Arena where the convention was held, there were other protests downtown.
Inside the arena, members of the press prepared for the day’s speeches, which included remarks by former President Bill Clinton. MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell and Michael Steele, former Chairperson of the Republican National Committee, taped footage as workers set up in the convention hall.
The majority of the seats on the floor and in the arena are assigned to state delegations.
Tuesday’s session included the roll call of the states, a record taking of delegate votes by each state (Clinton received 2838 and Sanders received more than 1800).
After the completion of the roll call, Bernie Sanders “moved that the convention suspend the rules and nominate Hillary Clinton by acclamation.”
And everyone went nuts (except the Sanders supporters). “Happy” by Pharell Williams blasted on the speakers.
And the celebration continued after DNC Secretary Stephanie Rawlings-Blake officially declared Clinton the party nominee.
A group of women members of Congress, including Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who stood backstage started dancing.
After the dancing and cheers, people started crying. The reactions of older women in the audience were especially touching.
Like many others, I knew the moment would be important and historic. But when it finally happened, it was so much more meaningful and poignant than I could have imagined.
Clinton reminded us of what it meant when she spoke on Thursday night:
“Standing here as my mother’s daughter, and my daughter’s mother, I’m so happy this day has come.
Happy for grandmothers and little girls and everyone in between.
Happy for boys and men, too — because when any barrier falls in America, for anyone, it clears the way for everyone. When there are no ceilings, the sky’s the limit.”
SHAMILA N. CHAUDHARY 