Bernie Sanders announced today that he will be suspending his presidential campaign. He made the announcement during an uncharacteristically brief, 15-minute Facebook Live broadcast, which started with several minutes of a static frame graphic that thanked supporters and a live-updating countdown clock. (For those organizations getting started on the platform, this is a Facebook Live best practice. It gives viewers time to tune in and sets expectations for reporters).
When the broadcast began, Sanders thanked millions of social media supporters, staffers, volunteers and campaign donors. A lower-third message read, "WHILE THE CAMPAIGN ENDS, THE STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE CONTINUES ON." At bottom, a smaller text bar urged viewers to donate to Sanders’ coronavirus aid effort, which, via ActBlue, contributes to relief causes, including Make the Road and Feeding America.
Sanders said he would focus on the coronavirus response and defeating President Trump in the November election. He congratulated former rival Joe Biden, “a very decent man,” and said he would join the former VP to push progressive ideas and "defeat the most dangerous president…in modern history."
Sanders said his supporters had taken a major step forward in delivering a new vision for the country, winning an "ideological battle" for human rights in the US.
Ever-true to his "Not Me. Us." maxim, Sanders said that to achieve universal healthcare, better working conditions, debt-free education, immigrant rights and environmental stewardship, Americans truly need to believe that they are entitled to such—and fight for it. "Please stay in this fight with me," he urged supporters in closing.
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