Netroots Nation – Town Hall

At yesterday’s town hall meeting during Netroots Nation convention in Phoenix, Arizona members of the #BlackLivesMatter movement interrupted former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont who were being interviewed by Jose Antonio Vargas. Vargas is a journalist who has brought to light the struggles of undocumented immigrants brought over as children. He didn’t know he was in the country illegally until he was 16.

The audience didn’t get to hear much about the issues that are affecting undocumented immigrants and the increase xenophobia and border brutality plaguing the nation. However, it did exemplify the huge disconnect between communities of color and politicians. When Black Lives Matter screamed out “Say Her Name” they had no idea what to say. At one point Martin O’Malley said “All Lives Matter” to the disappointment of many in the crowd.

Other audience members who were there to hear Bernie Sanders were visibly frustrated and saying things like, “Let him speak” and “ShutUp”. Women of color are notoriously interrupted and this was a way for Black Lives Matter to have their voices heard. O’ Malley and Sanders were asked about their policy proposals in regards to racial equality but neither candidate gave a satisfying answer. It was easy to see that they were thrown off their scripts and didn’t know how to respond.

Will they take some time now to really learn about the issues and address the community properly? Will O’Malley see the flaw in saying, “All Lives Matter”? Only time will tell.