Democratic National Convention: Day One

Delegates in support of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) cheers on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia.

(Win McNamee/Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA -- Amid unrest from Bernie Sanders supporters on the floor of the Democratic National Convention, the U.S. senator from Vermont texted his supporters Monday and urged them not to protest during the convention.

Sanders, who's scheduled to speak at the convention in Philadelphia later in the night, urged his supporters to unite. He sent the message via text to the leaders of his delegation, according to Yahoo news.

"I ask you as a personal courtesy to me to not engage in any kind of protest on the floor," he wrote in the text message to his delegate whips. "(It's) of utmost importance you explain this to your delegations."

Sanders' supporters boo mention of Hillary

The text was signed, "Bernie."

News of the text message came amid a rocky start to the DNC as the party hoped to promote a message of unity on its opening night. But instead, Sanders' supporters continuously drowned out speakers with boos when presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton's name was mentioned and routinely broke out in chants of "Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!"

Earlier in the day, Sanders' supporters booed when the senator mentioned Clinton's name during a rally.

Sanders urged supporters to support his former rival, who the senator said must be elected because Republican nominee Donald Trump "must be defeated."

Sanders' supporters accused Clinton of stealing the nomination and jeered the mention of the presumptive Democratic nominee, according to published reports.

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or on Facebook. Follow NJ.com Politics on Facebook.