DNC chair booed after announcing resignation, Sanders supporters shout 'Bernie or bust' as convention begins

DNC chair booed after announcing resignation, Sanders supporters shout `Bernie or bust` as convention begins

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania -- Instead of a warm welcome from her own Florida delegation, Democratic Party Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who on Sunday, July 24th announced she'll resign at the end of her party's convention this week, got shouted down Monday morning, July 25th.

"Alright everybody -- settle down! Settle down please. We know that the voices in this room that are standing up and being disruptive, we know that's not the Florida that we know," Wasserman Schultz said.

People booed and heckled Wasserman Schultz as she spoke for six-and-a-half minutes. This, one day after Wasserman Schultz announced she will resign at the end of her party's convention this week, after leaked emails show how DNC staffers were trying to sabotage Bernie Sanders' campaign.

Wisconsin delegation at Democratic National Convention

At their own, calmer breakfast, Wisconsin Democrats were split as to how visible Wasserman Schultz ought to be during the convention this week.

David Bowen

David Bowen of Milwaukee, a Bernie Sanders supporter, said Wasserman Schultz should stay away.

"Let’s move forward. The only way we can do that is if we’re not putting the former chair on the stage and throwing it back in the face of Sanders supporters the wrongdoing that has happened," Bowen said.

Democratic National Convention

Martha Laning, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin refused to take a position.

Martha Laning

"I think this is a decision that other people are making right now. What’s important for me is that I ensure that my whole delegation is there today and that they’re there to support our nominee. We're Democrats. This is a democracy. When things happen that people are concerned about, they have their voices heard and then actions taken. I think that's what's happening here. I think the Sanders supporters know that Donald Trump is a huge threat to our nation. The thing is, we have a gentleman here who's a con, who's a sexist, who's a bigot. We cannot allow someone like him to be leading our nation," Laning said.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a former party chair, had this to say:

"I think we're done with it. I hope they're respectful. She's resigned. She's worked hard. She was the personal choice of President Obama when she first came in," McAuliffe said.

In sweltering heat for the second day in a row, hundreds of Sanders supporters rallied Monday in Philadelphia. Many shouted "Bernie or bust." Some shouted "Lock her up" -- sounding similar to chants we heard last week during the Republican National Convention.

The protests Monday came amid temperatures in the 90s and heat indices in the triple digits. Sanders supporters said the leaked emails are proof the election was stolen from them.

Sanders supporters march on Day 1 of Democratic National Convention

Philadelphia police said 55 people were cited for disorderly conduct after demonstrators tried to climb barricades near the convention.

No one was arrested -- though the anger among protesters was apparent. Many said they will not vote for Clinton.

"If it’s close, I’ll have to vote for Trump. If it’s not close, then I’ll just stay home. (Trump) is the only one that can stop her," Royce Bishop of Oregon said.

On Monday evening, officials urged those protesting in a park across from the site of the convention to seek shelter from a storm rolling through the area with thunderstorms and heavy rain.

The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management urged those in FDR Park to seek shelter beneath an Interstate 95 underpass.

Organizers also recommended that media members evacuate a tent in the parking lot of the Wells Fargo Center arena Monday night, saying that it was not designed "to fully protect inhabitants in the event of a direct lightning strike."

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm and flash flood warning in the city.

Sanders spoke with supporters Monday ahead of his DNC speech Monday night -- telling them to vote for Hillary Clinton. Amid concerns there will be a demonstration on the convention floor, Sanders sent an email to delegates Monday which said, in part:" Our credibility as a movement will be damaged by booing, turning of backs or walking out. I know everyone is frustrated. I would ask as a personal courtesy to me to not engage in any kind of protest on the convention floor."

Congresswoman Gwen Moore, who has long supported Hillary Clinton, had a message for those demonstrators:

"You cannot protest by voting for some third party or do what I used to do sometimes, write my son’s name in when I didn’t like any of the candidates. That kind of protest is not going to work," Moore said.

Congresswoman Gwen Moore