Sanders Delegation Deems Nomination of Gov.

Cuomo Invalid, Following

Negligence in Procedural Conduct During NYS Delegation Meeting

The Democratic Party, whether theyll admit it or not is in crisis. Since 2008, the party
has lost over 1,000 elected seats from the local to national levels. The DNC is
hemorrhaging membership every year. (Yet theyve hit record fundraising levels over the
same time period.)
As we enter a contested convention, there is a clear divide within the New York State
delegation. Its not just a fight between upstate vs. downstate, young vs. old, reformers
vs. the Democratic machine - its a battle between half of the party clinging to an
unsustainable model vs. a big tent of activated new and seasoned Democrats. And
following the NY State Delegation meeting on June 21st, one half of the NY State
delegates refuse to support Gov. Cuomo as their state chair after committee rules were
not followed.
On Tuesday, Democratic delegates from around the state convened in New York City to
choose a chair of the NY state delegation. Prior to the meeting, representatives from
both the Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton campaigns discussed and agreed upon
procedure. Our Sanders delegation met earlier in the day to train in Roberts Rules of
Order and how to motion from the floor. We also agreed to contest the nomination of
Governor Cuomo as the Chair of the NY State Delegation. From the outset of the NY
State Delegate meeting there were fissures in the crowded room friction in response
to the machine-run agenda.
Despite having 42% of the NYS primary vote (in a closed primary with an October
registration deadline, nonetheless), the dais was stacked 100% with Clinton supporters
and surrogates. Now we understand as a delegation that Clinton won the primary in
New York - but as a state delegation we are moving to a contested convention and we
must abide by rules. That means all delegates votes and motions count.
As the meeting commenced, grandiose talks of unity were thrown around by speakers.
When the voting began and the Democratic State Committees Secretary Michael Reich
asked for any motions - dozens of delegates raised motions and objections. Yet, despite
continuous motions for nominations and delegates moving to the microphone to make

their objections clearly heard and seen in front of the dais, the microphone was
subsequently shut off and Reich moved through his agenda. He yelled point of order
and stated the vote for Governor Cuomo was decided without objection.
There was documented condescension and even assault during the meeting. When a
member of the Sanders delegation - a young woman of color - moved to the dais to
second the motion, an elder white male Hillary supporter hit her with his hand and his
cane.
How can NY State Democratic leadership call for party unity while they are
simultaneously not recognizing and silencing half of the NY state delegation? The
rhetoric of the leadership is all about unity, but their actions reflect the opposite.
Despite continuous motions from the Sanders delegates to Executive Director Basil
Smikle, the meeting adjourned without consideration of the dozens of motions by
delegates.
How can the New York State Democratic Party Leadership so blatantly disrespect half
of its delegates? Entertaining a vote only strengthens a party already divided. The NYS
Democratic Party had two choices: to be respectful and inclusive or to ignore and
disempower half of its delegation.
If this party wants to sustain itself and embrace the new members it gained after this
election, the leadership needs to apologize for its actions.
We are active members of the Democratic Party in good standing. We organize, donate,
endorse, canvass, petition, phone-bank and hold office. The Democratic party leaders
on that dais and in the room have a responsibility to be fair, accountable and observe
the rules and procedures of the body.
The meetings objections by members of the body were not recognized and were in
violation of the NY State Democratic Committee rules. Furthermore, there were no dais
members that represented by the Sanders delegation. Therefore, we deem the
nomination of Governor Andrew Cuomo null and void and he will not be recognized by
the Bernie Sanders delegation.
For further comment, please contact Kat Brezler, 914-625-8275
-Press Committee, NY for Bernie Sanders Delegation
###