DNC 2020: Michelle Obama gives powerful speech after Bernie Sanders calls on viewers to fight against 'bigotry' and back Biden
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Your support makes all the difference.The Democratic National Convention kicked off with some last-minute guests as the family of George Floyd led a moment of silence to mark the start of the first day, titled "We the People".
Michelle Obama headlined the evening's proceedings, ripping into the president's record saying "you simply cannot fake your way through this job" as she pleaded with Democrat voters not to stay at home or cast a protest vote in 2020. "Joe is not perfect, and he'd be the first to tell you that," Ms Obama says. "But there is no perfect candidate, no perfect president, and his ability to learn and grow, we find in that the kind of humility and maturity that so many of us yearn for now."
Bernie Sanders, meanwhile, said Nero fiddled while Rome burned, but Trump golfs while his actions fanned the coronavirus pandemic to kill more than 170,000 Americans in a nation unprepared to protect its people.
Mr Sanders made a direct appeal to his supporters to unify around Joe Biden, highlighting the candidate's progressive credentials on issues that only a few years ago would have been considered radical.
A running theme through the first night was on restoring the "Soul of America", as Democrats and Republicans alike devoted the majority of the virtual real estate to the current president.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser accused Donald Trump of 'plotting' with his bible photo at St John's Church as the daughter of a Covid-19 victim said her father's only pre-existing condition was a Trump presidency.
Republican leaders including former Ohio governor John Kasich, former New Jersey governor Christine Whitman, and former New York City congresswoman Susan Molinari lent their voices to their one-time rivals.
Democrat establishment figures like Andrew Cuomo, Jim Clyburn, and Amy Klobuchar all gave strong endorsements of their party's presidential nominee, even if some of their jokes and one-liners, aiming for inspirational resonance, seemed to linger without reaction in the virtual void of a Zoom meeting.
Mr Biden, meanwhile, appeared briefly during a round table on racism with Gwen Garner, mother of Eric Garner, Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot, and other social justice activists.
Milwaukee Congresswoman Gwen Moore kicks off convention to 'reclaim the soul of America'
"This is a city where blood was shed for labour rights, where fugitive slaves were freed from prison, where women's right to vote was first ratified, but today we gather virtually, however gather unified in spirit, unified in values and purpose to heal divisions and together move the nation confidently into a prosperous, inclusive future," Ms Moore says.
Eric from Illinois and Donald Trump lead Democrat National Convention
Before we get into the meat of the convention, we've heard form small business owners, a Congresswoman and now "Eric from Illinois".
Speaking to a phone video, Eric from Illinois, a Trump voter, has his regrets.
"I'm fairly ashamed to say it but I'm one of many who voted for the current president, Donald Trump. I challenge you to think back to what made you vote for Donald Trump in 2016, I know I sure have and I've registered as a Democrat for the first time in my life," he says.
"I'm doing that because I think this election is bigger than any political party."
Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser DC Mayor Bowser accuses Trump of 'plotting' with Bible photo
"But while we were peacefully protesting, Donald Trump was plotting. He stood in front of one of our most treasured houses of worship and held a Bible for a photo op. He sent troops in camouflage into our streets. He sent tear gas into the air--federal helicopters, too. I knew if he did this to D.C., he would do it to your city or your town," she says.
"We have to undo the laws and systems that have codified racism for far too long. But we have to do something too. Each and every one of us. Challenge our own biases. If we see something, do something. Together, we can turn this reckoning into a reimagining of a nation where 'We The People' means all the people."
George Floyd's family speak at DNC
"My brother George was selfless, he always made sacrifices for his family, friends, and even complete strangers. George had a giving spirit, a sprit that has shown up on streets around our nation and around the world. People of all races, all ages, all genders, all backgrounds, peacefully protesting in the name of love and unity. It's a fitting legacy for our brother."
Biden speaks to racism round table 'The Path Forward'
Joe Biden is speaking to Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gwen Garner, mother of Eric Garner, on a round table of activists discussing racism and police brutality.
"Most cops are good, but the fact is the bad ones have to be identified and prosecuted and out, period," Biden says.
Joe Biden 'adopted son of South Carolina' - Congressman Jim Clyburn
"It won't be easy, we can only succeed if we move forward together, so we will need a president who sees unifying people as a requirement of the job. A president who understands the true meaning of community and how to build it through trust and humility," Clyburn says.
"We need a president who understands both profound loss, and what it takes to bounce back. But more important than his firsthand experience with loss and hardship is his ability to translate that perspective into policy and solutions, and prioritize hard working people... that's why I stand with Joe, and why he will always be an adopted son of South Carolina.'
'America tough' New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says of Biden
With Cuomo speaking at the convention, a theme is emerging on "restoring the soul of America" by replacing Trump with Biden.
"Joe Biden is what I call America tough, tough in the best way, tough that is smart, united, disciplined and loving," Cuomo says.
"Joe Biden can restore the soul of America, and that's exactly what our country needs today.
Trump is a 'pre-existing condition' - says Kristin Urquiza, of California
Ms Urquiza, who lost her father to Covid-19, blamed failed leadership for his death.
"My dad was a healthy 65-year-old. His only preexisting condition was trusting Donald Trump, and for that, he paid with his life."
"The coronavirus has made it clear that there are two Americas: the America that Donald Trump lives in and the America that my father died in."
Olympic gold medalist Megan Rapinoe speaks with frontline workers
"People are exhausted and we're looking at the tsunami that's coming this winter with Covid and influenza and I think all of us are wondering how is our system not going to collapse," says Dr Bradley Dreifuss, of Arizona.
"Because if we're not there people come with their broken arms, or they come with their heart attacks or their strokes or their appendicitis, we're not going to be there."
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