Ben Jealous, endorsed Bernie Sanders in February, called for party unity Monday. | AP Photo Sanders surrogate makes plea to 'unify' from convention stage

Ben Jealous, the former head of the NAACP and a surrogate for Bernie Sanders, urged the convention crowd on Monday night to get behind Hillary Clinton, after Sanders' delegates proved be a rowdy force inside the Wells Fargo Center.

“Bernie will be here tonight, and as he said to us today, today is our day to begin to unify so we can defeat Donald Trump,” said Jealous, who endorsed Sanders in February.


Referencing progressive initiatives in Maryland such as the abolishment of the death penalty and the expansion of voting rights, Jealous said only unity can produce the progress all Democrats would want.

“We are a state where Democrats have shown when we all come together as one, we win more, bigger, and better victories faster,” he said. “To people of good conscience everywhere who are tired -- tired of seeing our neighbors abused, scapegoated, and killed because of racism, transphobia, homophobia and xenophobia, we say join us at the ballot box and together we will move America forward to become the most perfect example of the unity and dignity of the human family that the world has ever see.”

Jealous, who plans to work the convention floor to urge against any visible displays by Sanders delegates, was the second Sanders surrogate to address the convention, following Maine State Rep. Diane Russell.