
Bernie Sanders urged Democrats to rally behind Hillary Clinton at the party's convention yesterday as he took his final curtain call as a candidate for the presidential nomination.

Sanders' speech in Philadelphia yesterday was too much to take for his most ardent fans, who were seen bursting into tears as he praised them for joining him on his 'political revolution'.

Supporters of the Vermont senator bawled as they watched the man who had spent months telling them not to back Clinton backtrack and instruct them to vote for the former Secretary of State.

'Any objective observer will conclude that – based on her ideas and her leadership – Hillary Clinton must become the next President of the United States,' Sanders said, to cries from his fans.

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Bernie Sanders urged Democrats to rally behind Hillary Clinton at the party's convention yesterday as he took his final curtain call as a candidate for the presidency. Pictured, a Sanders supporter cries during his speech

Sanders' speech in Philadelphia yesterday was too much to take for his most ardent fans, who were seen bursting into tears as he praised them for joining him on his 'political revolution'

Supporters of the Vermont senator bawled as they watched the man who had spent months telling them not to back Clinton backtrack and instruct them to vote for the former Secretary of State

Sanders (pictured during his speech on Monday) insisted that his fight was not in vain and said a 'political revolution' was under way

Sanders supporters openly wept during his speech, with many a tear shed by delegates holding up 'Bernie' signs.

The socialist insisted that the foundations laid by his 1,846 pledged delegates were not in vain.

'Together, my friends, we have begun a political revolution to transform America and that revolution – our revolution – continues,' he said.

Sanders admitted defeat to Clinton earlier this month, upsetting scores of his fans from the 'Bernie or Bust' movement who would rather not cast a vote in the election at all than back Hillary.

There were also fears that delegates could hold anti-Clinton demonstrations during the convention after leaked emails suggested DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and senior staffers conspired to ensure Sanders did not win the nomination.

The revelations and growing anger at the party establishment forced Sanders to send a text message urging supporters 'to not engage in any kind of protest on the floor'.

Berned out: Sanders supporters openly wept during his speech, with many a tear shed by delegates holding up 'Bernie' signs

Weeping: Ohio delegate Cynthia Cox deBoutinkhar, right, wiped away tears as she listened to Sanders speak at the convention on Monday

An emotional supporter Sanders looks emotional as she cheers him on during his speech on the first night of the Democratic Convention

In his speech on Monday evening, Sanders said he understood his backers' sadness at losing the race for the nomination, but added that 'no one is more disappointed than I am'.

'I hope you take enormous pride in the historical accomplishments we have achieved,' Sanders said in an attempt to lift the somber mood.

'Election days come and go. But the struggle of the people to create a government which represents all of us and not just the one per cent – a government based on the principles of economic, social, racial and environmental justice – that struggle continues. And I look forward to being part of that struggle with you.'

Sanders said his campaign - which saw him provide a stronger challenge to Clinton than many expected - was about 'the greed, recklessness and illegal behavior on Wall Street' and 'the grotesque level of income and wealth inequality'.

'Let me be as clear as I can be. This election is not about, and has never been about, Hillary Clinton, or Donald Trump, or Bernie Sanders or any of the other candidates who sought the presidency,' he said.

'Yes, we have made progress, but I think we can all agree that much, much more needs to be done.

'This election is about which candidate understands the real problems facing this country and has offered real solutions – not just bombast, not just fear-mongering, not just name-calling and divisiveness.'

In a direct jab at Trump, Sanders said the country needs 'leadership which brings our people together and makes us stronger... not leadership which insults Latinos and Mexicans and Muslims and women, African-Americans and veterans and seeks to divide us up'.

In his speech on Monday evening, Sanders said he understood his backers' sadness at losing the race for the nomination, but added that 'no one is more disappointed than I am'. Pictured, Sanders fans struggle to contain their emotions

A Sanders fan, sporting a 'Bernie 2016' sticker', grimaces and places his hands on his hips during the speech at the convention on Monday

A man was seen struggling to hold back tears as he applauded Sanders during the speech to delegates, which came on the first night of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia

Sanders sought to shore up support for Clinton among skeptical Democrats on Monday evening, telling them that she would work to raise the minimum wage and would appoint Supreme Court justices who would in turn vote to defends workers' and women's rights.

Furthermore, she wil lpursue legislation to 'revolutionize higher education in America', reform the criminal justice system, make healthcare affordable for all and bring the price of prescription drugs down, he said.

'It is no secret that Hillary Clinton and I disagree on a number of issues,' Sanders told the crowd. 'That is what this campaign has been about. That’s what democracy is about.'

'But I am happy to tell you that at the Democratic Platform Committee there was a significant coming together between the two campaigns and we produced, by far, the most progressive platform in the history of the Democratic Party.'

Sanders argued that the platform includes language in favor of breaking up the big banks and 'calls for strong opposition to job-killing free trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership'.

He added that he remembered Sanders 'as a great first lady who broke precedent in terms of the role that a first lady was supposed to play as she helped lead the fight for universal health care'.