As Twitchy reported, presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley (but not Hillary Clinton) today stopped by “the tenth annual gathering of the Netroots” in Phoenix, Ariz., to present their platforms and verify their progressive credentials. Things descended into chaos, though, when #BlackLivesMatter protesters took over the stage and microphone, leaving O’Malley and Sanders little more than audience members standing awkwardly on stage.
Now on #NN15, @osope: "It's not like we like shutting shit down, but we have to. We are tired of being interrupted." pic.twitter.com/AuLWRCJjzX
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) July 18, 2015
Supposedly moderating the panel was illegal alien Jose Antonio Vargas, who essentially surrendered control of the panel in deference to the #BlackLivesMatter protesters. Isn’t a moderator supposed to prevent that from happening?
To folks who ask me why I didn't stop protestors:
We cannot silence people of color and women of color #BlackLivesMatter. #nn15
— Jose Antonio Vargas (@joseiswriting) July 18, 2015
Women's voices matter. Voices of people of color matter; historically, women–and esp women of color–have been silenced #nn15
— Jose Antonio Vargas (@joseiswriting) July 18, 2015
Good job, good effort.
@joseiswriting masterful job of facilitation today. That disruption is opening new fresh conversations. #NN15TownHall
— Anu Yadav (@anuyadavdreamer) July 18, 2015
Thanks Anu https://t.co/8ajk0xxh9b
— Jose Antonio Vargas (@joseiswriting) July 18, 2015
@joseiswriting thanks for being a clear and firm moderator today. Appreciate the solidarity.
— patrisse cullors (@OsopePatrisse) July 18, 2015
Thanks for understanding I had a job to do https://t.co/qVUFnfWSkZ
— Jose Antonio Vargas (@joseiswriting) July 18, 2015
I had more questions about gun control, taxes, immigration, LGBTQ rights…#nn15townhall @DefineAmerican
— Jose Antonio Vargas (@joseiswriting) July 18, 2015
Maybe next year. As for today, Bernie Sanders didn’t seem to appreciate the format of the event.
Now the #BlackLivesMatter demonstrators are interrupting Bernie Sanders too at #nn15. Sanders threatens leaving.
— Chris Moody (@moody) July 18, 2015
"if you don't want me to be here, that's ok" – @BernieSanders getting really pouty at the black protesters! LOL!!! #nn15
— ¡El Sooopèrr! ن c137 (@SooperMexican) July 18, 2015
Brief argument breaks out on floor during Bernie speech. Some white attendees ask black attendees to be quiet. They keep shouting. #nn15
— Chris Moody (@moody) July 18, 2015
Moderator Jose Vargas at #Netroots: “Unfortunately, we have to wrap it up,”
“Good!!!” says Sanders.— James Hohmann (@jameshohmann) July 18, 2015
* * *
Update:
Someone from Netroots issued an official statement on the candidates being shouted down.
Official statement from Netroots Nation conference organizers on O'Malley and Sanders being shouted down at #NN15 pic.twitter.com/suqcjI9Koa
— Chris Moody (@moody) July 18, 2015