Bernie Sanders supporters: It's not over

MONTPELIER - Supporters of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential bid gathered in front of the Vermont Statehouse on Sunday to voice their continuing support for Sanders on the eve of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

More than 50 supporters from Vermont, New York, New Hampshire — and even one man from France — carried signs, sang, and performed chants on the steps of the Statehouse for more than an hour. "Still Sanders," "Bernie or Bust," "Won't Vote Hillary," and "Time for change, the time is now," some of the signs said.

Many who turned out expressed an unwillingness to choose between other Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump in the general election. Some also voiced anger over a recent Democratic National Committee email leak that  raise questions about whether party officials were trying to undermine Bernie Sanders' campaign. Many also said that even though Sanders endorsed Clinton earlier this month, Sanders did not officially pull out of the race.

The rally Sunday was part of a larger effort across the U.S. to have Sanders supporters gather together for a march and rally. One of the event organizers Allison Joyal said the event was being held to thank Sanders for running for president and to encourage progressives and democrats to get involved in local politics.

During the rally, some participants addressed the crowd to speak about Sanders, why they support him, and why they attended the event on Sunday.

"We're here because we're angry because progressives really didn't get a fair shake this time around," said Burlington resident Chris Vaccaro to the group of rally participants. "There's a lot of pandering, there's lip service, there's work in the Democratic party platform, but there's no guarantee that that work is going to be adhered to, and there's nothing to suggest that Hillary and her campaign is at all going to have a progressive movement."

Some, like Joyal of Plainfield, told personal stories about Sanders. Joyal said she worked for Capstone Community Action, an organization that focuses on moving Vermonters out of poverty and advocates for economic justice, according to its website.

"What senator does this?" Joyal said to the crowd. "He just showed up one day, came in, sat down and said, 'What are the problems we need to know?' He sat with me, and he sat with some of my homeless clients, and he took that information back to Washington."

Joyal said as a result, the organization was given more funding. She said Sanders also helped her husband, who is a Vermont soldier.

"He is for all of us, from the youngest to the oldest, for veterans, for the disabled," Joyal added.

Teacher Jennifer Billings from Colchester told the crowd that a Muslim student recently expressed fear that he or she would be sent out of the country if Trump was elected. Billings said she supports Sanders because he preaches equality.

"Bernie is the one that supports the ideals that are going to make America heal, " Billings said.

Toward the end of the rally, a man from Nantes, France, stood in front of the crowd and said he enjoyed seeing the group of people "fighting to save the world." Jean-Marc Gouraud said the state of the world is currently "really bad," and that he believes Sanders represents change.

"Bernie is hope for a Frenchman like me," Gouraud said.

The Democratic National Convention starts Monday in Philadelphia. Clinton has 2,807 delegates, including 602 superdelegates, according to the Associated Press. Sanders has 1,894 total delegates, including 48 superdelegates. (The candidate needs 2,383 for the nomination.)

Contact Elizabeth Murray at 651-4835 or emurray@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LizMurraySMC.

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