Philadelphia, PA – On July 25, thousands gathered and protested at the opening day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

The first rally and march of the day, called by The Equality Coalition, started at 10 a.m. Activists and their groups began gathering despite warnings of the extreme heat that was going to hit Philadelphia. The banners and signs varied from loyal pro-Sander supporters to militant calls for revolution. However, the one consistent message that day – down with Hillary Clinton.

Speakers consistently brought up Clinton’s long history of corruption, from her warmongering to her recent participation in the scam primary elections.

Members of different left and progressive organizations were handing out literature regarding the elections and their views of Clinton and Sanders. The Freedom Road Socialist Organization handed out two of their statements on elections and the recent police killings.

Dave Schneider, a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, summed up the general views of the people protesting that morning, “The people out here protesting the DNC understand that both major parties represent the class of billionaires that rule this country. Frankly, we're not buying what these politicians in both parties are selling anymore.”

The march began at 2 p.m., as over 800 protesters began a four-mile trek to the convention center to make their voices heard. Chants from “Hey, hey! Ho, Ho! Hillary Clinton has got to go,” to “Feel the Bern” kept the marchers up beat and determined in the 99-degree heat.

Once the first march reached the convention center, the second event, March for Our Lives, called by Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, began at 3 p.m. Hundreds gathered once more in front of City Hall to listen to a wide range of speakers, such as Cornell West and Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein. “Don’t vote for the lesser evil, but for the greater good,” said Stein.

The march started soon after Stein finished speaking, and the protesters joined the others at the convention center.

Schneider, who will be more protests at the DNC, said, “In the coming days, I expect more people to join the protests outside the DNC, including many of the Sanders delegates. The Democratic Party, like the GOP, loyally serves Wall Street.”

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