Democrats fear an unruly convention in Philadelphia

by Austin Stallings
Journalism Intern

As the primary season appears to be wrapping up, a growing number of Democrats are beginning to set their sights on Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention. However, Philadelphia might prove to be a wild and unruly place once the Convention begins.

A loose coalition of supporters of rival Sen. Bernie Sanders is using social media to plan a series of events at the Democratic National Convention. Using pro-Sanders blogs and websites, organizers will be pressing to insert his progressive agenda—from free college tuition to revisions in the primary process—into the party’s platform.

At least five of the nine permit applications to hold demonstrations during the four-day event have been filed by pro-Sanders forces with the Philadelphia city government, according to the mayor’s office. The groups planning the events are named The Berners, Black Men for Bernie, Movement for Bernie and Bernie-or-Bust. No applications have been filed yet by supporters of Secretary Clinton.

“I really wouldn’t call it a protest. It’s a political revolution. It’s something that we will celebrate,” said Bill Taylor, a 30-year-old Philadelphia resident in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. “There is no stopping the movement that Bernie has created. This isn’t about one man.”

The Democratic National Convention takes place July 25 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Gayly- 5/19/2016 @ 3:30 p.m. CDT