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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 partyhas 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 thesame time period.)

As we enter a contested convention, there is a clear divide within the New York Statedelegation. Its not just a fight between upstate vs. downstate, young vs. old, reformersvs. the Democratic machine - its a battle between half of the party clinging to anunsustainable model vs. a big tent of activated new and seasoned Democrats. Andfollowing the NY State Delegation meeting on June 21st, one half of the NY Statedelegates refuse to support Gov. Cuomo as their state chair after committee rules werenot followed.

On Tuesday, Democratic delegates from around the state convened in New York City tochoose a chair of the NY state delegation. Prior to the meeting, representatives fromboth the Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton campaigns discussed and agreed uponprocedure. Our Sanders delegation met earlier in the day to train in Roberts Rules ofOrder and how to motion from the floor. We also agreed to contest the nomination ofGovernor Cuomo as the Chair of the NY State Delegation. From the outset of the NYState Delegate meeting there were fissures in the crowded room friction in responseto the machine-run agenda.

Despite having 42% of the NYS primary vote (in a closed primary with an Octoberregistration deadline, nonetheless), the dais was stacked 100% with Clinton supporters

and surrogates. Now we understand as a delegation that Clinton won the primary inNew York - but as a state delegation we are moving to a contested convention and wemust abide by rules. That means alldelegates 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 Reichasked for any motions - dozens of delegates raised motions and objections. Yet, despitecontinuous motions for nominations and delegates moving to the microphone to make

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their objections clearly heard and seen in front of the dais, the microphone wassubsequently shut off and Reich moved through his agenda. He yelled point of orderand 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 tosecond the motion, an elder white male Hillary supporter hit her with his hand and hiscane.

How can NY State Democratic leadership call for party unity while they aresimultaneously not recognizing and silencing half of the NY state delegation? Therhetoric of the leadership is all about unity, but their actions reflect the opposite.

Despite continuous motions from the Sanders delegates to Executive Director BasilSmikle, the meeting adjourned without consideration of the dozens of motions bydelegates.

How can the New York State Democratic Party Leadership so blatantly disrespect halfof its delegates? Entertaining a vote only strengthens a party already divided. The NYSDemocratic Party had two choices: to be respectful and inclusive or to ignore anddisempower half of its delegation.

If this party wants to sustain itself and embrace the new members it gained after thiselection, 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 observethe rules and procedures of the body.

The meetings objections by members of the body were not recognized and were inviolation of the NY State Democratic Committee rules. Furthermore, there were no daismembers that represented by the Sanders delegation. Therefore, we deem thenomination of Governor Andrew Cuomo null and void and he will not be recognized bythe Bernie Sanders delegation.

For further comment, please contact Kat Brezler, 914-625-8275-Press Committee, NY for Bernie Sanders Delegation

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