4 Crazy Moments from Netroots Nation
Last weekend, “progressives” from around the country met in Phoenix for their annual Netroots Nation conference. As you might imagine, it was a weekend full of bizarre moments and unbelievable statements, and a crowd that was completely out of control.
Here are four of the more memorable moments of Netroots Nation 2015.
1. The time left-wing protestors disrupted the event and Netroots completely lost control.
Democrat presidential hopefuls Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley were in the middle of a townhall Q&A when protestors came storming in. To put it lightly, it didn’t go well. You can see the video at CNN.
Asked what he's passed to help black people, Sanders starts talking about Affordable Care Act. Protester: "We can't afford that!" #NN15
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) July 18, 2015
Activists at #NN15TownHall are shouting the names of black women who have died in police custody. "Say her name!" pic.twitter.com/GC4g5iz2XB
— Darren Sands (@darrensands) July 18, 2015
She already ignores them genius. Hence her absence from this loon show #NN15 #NN15TownHall pic.twitter.com/KCbaAmJlD0
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) July 18, 2015
O’Malley was asked a direct question, and his answer led to our second moment on the list.
2. The time Martin O’Malley said that all lives matter, and was shamed into apologizing
When presidential hopeful Martin O’Malley was shouted down by “Black Lives Matter” protestors, he responded by saying “Black lives matter. White lives matter. All lives matter.” Seems reasonable, right? As you may or may not be surprised to hear, the attendees of Netroots aren’t exactly the most reasonable people in the world. This reply infuriated them, causing the crowd to shout and boo. While leaving the stage, he joined in the chant of “Black lives matter!” but it was too late,the “damage” was done.
In today's Democratic party, it is actually controversial to say that every person's life matters. Consider that.
— jon gabriel (@exjon) July 18, 2015
Did he just say all lives matter? Did no one prep O'Malley for this room? #NN15
— Jane Booth-Tobin (@jboothto) July 18, 2015
O'Malley just said #AllLivesMatter which means he just doesn't get it. #NN15
— Emily Epstein White (@EmEps) July 18, 2015
O’Malley, a man who wants to be president of the United States, has now issued an apology. For saying that all lives matter. Let that sink in for a moment. I’ll wait.
3. The time the #BernieSoBlack hashtag took off on Twitter
There are those who didn’t appreciate the way that Bernie Sanders responded to Black Lives Matter protestors. That is, by talking over them. Podcaster Roderick Morrow expressed his disappointment on Twitter, and Sanders supporters weren’t too happy. In fact, a few of them said that Sanders is blacker than Morrow who is, you know, actually black. In response, he started the #BernieSoBlack hashtag, and it was hilarious.
Little known fact Bernie Sanders was actually the one who told John Carlos and Tommie Smith to put up black power fist in 68 #BernieSoBlack
— Rod TBGWT (@rodimusprime) July 19, 2015
I actually heard it was Bernie's idea to march in Selma. MLK wanted to do the march in Hawaii. A destination march. #BernieSoBlack
— Rod TBGWT (@rodimusprime) July 19, 2015
#BernieSoBlack that Hillary Clinton is taking his vote for granted.
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) July 19, 2015
#BernieSoBlack is really a thing? The people starting this hashtag know their party has nominated five old white people, right? #DemsSoWhite
— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) July 19, 2015
"Power to the people"? Bernie coined that phrase while stealing electricity from the man. #BernieSoBlack
— Dion L Moffett (@Da901Kid) July 19, 2015
4. The time this guy fancied himself a hero
Zack Ford, LGBT Editor for ThinkProgress decided to mansplain a few things to a Bernie Sanders supporter. However if a white man whitesplains/mansplains at Netroots Nation and nobody Tweets about it, did it really happen? Not to worry, Zack tweeted about it himself to ensure that everyone knew.
My exhaustion last night did not stop me from taking 15 minutes to school a Bernie supporter on her white privilege. #NN15
— Zack Ford (@ZackFord) July 19, 2015
We commend you, hero.
@ZackFord you are like the guys who defended stalingrad. thank you hero
— ArellanoFelixCartel (@swarthyvillain) July 19, 2015
So, there you have it. Netroots Nation 2015.