PHILADELPHIA - Democrats opened their national convention on Monday with a tightly scripted message of party unity, even as they angled to tamp down internal discord that threatened to overshadow the event.

A roster of bold-faced and little-known party names implored supporters to unite behind Hillary Clinton and put aside the acrimony suddenly reignited by the email scandal that showed leaders plotted through the primary to beat back Sen. Bernie Sanders' campaign.

As Clinton delegates started to gather in South Philadelphia, thousands of Sander's fervent loyalists filled the sweltering city streets to protest what they called indefensible bias by the party establishment. Dozens were briefly detained when they tried to storm barricades outside the Wells Fargo Center.

Inside, Sanders himself tried to quell the discontent. Handed the keynote speaking slot, the Vermont senator told delegates and supporters that despite their disagreement on some issues, he was solidly behind the nominee.

"Based on her ideas and her leadership, Hillary Clinton must become the next president of the United States," Sanders said. "Bernie supporters cry as Sanders urges support of Clinton."

His words came against a stormy backdrop of growing discontent that suggested Democrats might struggle to portray their convention as the unified, forward-thinking antidote to last week's unpredictable gathering of Republicans in Cleveland.

On the convention stage, speaker after speaker on the convention stage tried to steer the conversation to Clinton's strengths and her looming battle with Trump. Unlike the GOP nominee, who made news and appearances on each day of his party's convention, Clinton remained out of sight, letting others campaign for her.

Michelle Obama heaped praise on her as a tireless public servant who has earned the job and won't quit now. "Because of Hillary Clinton, my daughters, and all our sons and daughters, now take for granted that a woman can be president of the United States," Obama said.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren savaged Trump as a failed businessman without a plan, "a man who must never be president of the United States."

When speakers were not openly criticizing Trump, convention organizers turned down the lights and aired videos of the billionaire's most outrageous statements, and speakers urged the party faithful to stand together. (Source: Philadelphia Inquirer)

Story Date: July 26, 2016