Above Photo:Â Former Ohio state senator Nina Turner has had her credentials stripped by the Democratic National Committee. (Photo: AP)
Source close to former Ohio state senator says top spokesperson was ‘mortified’ by how she was treated by DNC officials
Developing story… Please check back for updates…
Update II:
Allies of Nina Turner are holding a press event inside the media tent at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday at 5:45pm local time.
Accoring to a press release by National Nurses United (NNU), “An all-star list of performers, including Susan Sarandon, Danny Glover, Rosario Dawson, Shailene Woodley, and Kendrick Sampson, will headline a media availability today to respond to efforts by the Democratic National Committee to silence former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner, a leading and prominent African American surrogate for Sen. Bernie Sanders.”
Ahead of the event, RoseAnn DeMoro, executive director of the NNU, tweeted:
Developing story… Please check back for updates…
Update II:
Allies of Nina Turner are holding a press event inside the media tent at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday at 5:45pm local time.
Accoring to a press release by National Nurses United (NNU), “An all-star list of performers, including Susan Sarandon, Danny Glover, Rosario Dawson, Shailene Woodley, and Kendrick Sampson, will headline a media availability today to respond to efforts by the Democratic National Committee to silence former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner, a leading and prominent African American surrogate for Sen. Bernie Sanders.”
Ahead of the event, RoseAnn DeMoro, executive director of the NNU, tweeted:
Update I:
Following original publication of this story, other explanations surrounding what exactly transpired between Nina Turner and the DNC emerged, including those disputing her credentials had been stripped or that she was ejected from the hall—a potential distinction without a difference. Ben Jealous, former head of the NAACP and himself a prominent Sanders surrogate, claimed via Twitter that earlier reporting, though based on a reliable source and verified prior to publication, was inaccurate.
Shaun King, columnist with the New York Daily News, reports speaking directly to Turner and sent out a series of tweets:
. @AJVicens @chrislhayes @ninaturner her credentials were NOT revoked. That’s a fabrication. She was slighted in several other ways, though.
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) July 27, 2016
It was @NinaTurner who won me over to support & campaign for Bernie.
Just spoke with Nina. Heartbroken over how she was mistreated today.
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) July 27, 2016
. @AJVicens @chrislhayes @ninaturner //It is 1am, but I believe Senator Turner will address this herself tomorrow, on her terms.
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) July 27, 2016
The first iteration of this story reported confirmation by a trusted source, someone in direct communication with Turner, that her credential had been stripped by the DNC. A clarifying statement from the source, however, said that while the status of the credential remains unclear at this time, “the story is worse” than that and added that Turner herself will address what transpired with reporters on Wednesday. In turn and subsequently, the source indicated this version of events tweeted by journalist David Schuster is a more accurate way to describe the situation:
For refusal to endorse Clinton, @ninaturner not ejected. Just blocked from introducing @BernieSanders, banned on stage, + humiliated. #Dems
— David Shuster (@DavidShuster) July 27, 2016
As King indicates, and as was explained to this writer by his source, Turner herself is “mortified” by how she was treated and is planning to address the controversy directly, offering her side of the story, but not until some point on Wednesday. As the exact status of her credentials remains unclear, all interested parties look forward to hearing that account.
Earlier:
Just before former president Bill Clinton took the stage at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night, progressive social media lit up with news that former Ohio state senator Nina Turner, one of Bernie Sanders’ most celebrated surrogates, had her convention credentials stripped by the DNC and was ejected from the convention hall.
On Twitter:
Though Turner has yet to make any public statement on the situation at this hour, Common Dreams communicated with a source close to Turner who confirmed that her credentials had been taken away. Though postings on social media indicated Turner was punished “for criticizing DNC corruption,” those claims could not be independently verified. The DNC has yet to make any official statement on the matter.
The source, familiar with some of the details but not authorized to discuss them, said the DNC also cut Turner and another prominent and effective surrogate, actress Rosario Dawson, from the promotional video that aired just before Sanders’ remarks during Tuesday’s roll call. Sanders reportedly fought the moves, but was not able to overturn the decision.
Turner has become a celebrated voice among those embracing Sanders’ progressive campaign. In recent days, many of his delegates even pushed an idea to nominate Turner as a replacement vice-presidential candidate as a way to express dissatisfaction with Hillary Clinton’s choice of Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia. Earlier on Tuesday, Turner essentially put those suggestions to rest.
“Oh God, no, not at all,” she responded when asked if she would want the VP spot. Though Sanders supporters “are very frustrated and upset,” she reportedly added, “any presidential candidate has the right to pick their vice presidential running mate. We’ve got to keep our eye on the movement.”
Earlier on Tuesday, a massive walkout of Sanders volunteers and supporters occurred at the convention after hundreds who had been promised access to the floor were reportedly denied.