Divided Democrats Open Convention

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Democrats have gaveled in their convention in Philadelphia — after a day of discord that sent the party chief into exile.

It was Baltimore's mayor, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, who called the 47th Democratic convention to order. Her formal welcome was briefly held up a slight oversight — she forgot the gavel and had to retrieve it off stage.

Rawlings-Blake is a last-minute fill-in Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the ousted Democratic National Committee leader.

The Florida congresswoman was forced out of her post by a trove of leaked emails that appeared to show DNC officials favored Hillary Clinton over Sanders in their fierce primary fight. She's set to step down from the party job after the convention.

Rawlings-Blake serves as secretary of the DNC.

DEM 2016-CONVENTION-SANDERS

Sanders' delegates boo his call to elect Clinton

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bernie Sanders has thanked his delegates at a meeting before the Democratic National Convention, saying "make no mistake about it, we have made history."

Sanders addressed over a thousand delegates packed into a ballroom at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, in advance of the Democratic National Convention. Many of his supporters — frustrated by the primary process and the recent leaked emails from Democratic party officials — have been threatening protests at the DNC.

To wild cheers, Sanders said his candidacy proved that "the American people want a bold progressive agenda that takes on the billionaire class."

But Sanders drew boos and angry chants from his delegates as he called for the election of Hillary Clinton. Many in the crowd chanted, "We want Bernie."

Sanders told them, "This is the real world." He added that electing Clinton was the way to stop Republican Donald Trump, who he described as "a bully and a demagogue," from becoming president.

But his delegates say they don't want to be taken for granted.

Amos Miers of St. Petersburg, Fla., said Sanders should do more explaining before instructing supporters of his year-long challenge to Clinton. He says Sanders' supporters are "not going to get steamrolled."

DEM 2016-PHILADELPHIA-PROTESTS

High temperatures have some seeking medical help

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Hundreds of protesters have been marching south of Philadelphia's City Hall in support of former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and other causes despite high temperatures that have led a few people to seek medical help.

The Philadelphia Fire Department says that nine people in town for the Democratic convention have been treated by emergency responders. Three of them have been taken to hospitals for evaluation.

The National Weather Service says temperatures will hover in the mid- to upper-90s on Monday. With humidity, it will feel more like 105 degrees.

Some of the protesters marching down Broad Street are criticizing the Democratic Party a day after emails suggested a party bias against Sanders.