Rockville Centre couple at the Democratic Convention

While many people watched the action at last week’s Democratic National Convention on television, Rockville Centre residents Denise and Joel Kass were there in person.

The couple, grassroots activists with Organizing for Action Long Island, were volunteers at the convention. They helped register delegates for caucuses.

“People came from all over,” said Denise.

The Kasses praised the people of Philadelphia, saying that they were very friendly and willing to help a lost or confused tourist. They also praised the police for their respect and hard work in the midst of thousands of peaceful protesters, many of whom were against Hilary Clinton. “The police were amazing,” said Denise. “The police were respectful, I cannot say enough about the police. They were wonderful. They were calm. The heat was unbelievably high, it was in the 90s everyday, and they were outside all day.”

Joel said that supporters of Bernie Sanders were the loudest among the protesters, and on the first night of the convention they protested in the Wells Fargo Center in front of all of the delegates. “The Bernie supporters are very, very invested in his election,” he said. “I think they truly believed that they were going to actually have Bernie on the ticket.”He added that Bernie supporters were distrustful of the media, other politicians and the Democratic Party itself.

Denise asked many of these people whom they would vote for in the general election. Half of them said they would support Clinton, while the other half would not vote or vote for Green Party candidate Jill Stein. “The universal thing that I kind of felt was that they don’t like the way she presents herself,” she said. “Like they want her to be everything. They feel she’s not warm.”

The Kasses were able to grab tickets to the convention floor during the first three nights, thanks to John Miyasato, a friend they made in a hotel elevator. “Being in the arena was thrilling, intoxicating,” said Denise. “Being present for democracy in action and for our candidate.” She said that the most powerful speeches came from Erica Smegielski, the daughter of slain Sandy Hook principal Dawn Hochsprung, 9/11 survivor Lauren Manning and Michelle Obama.

Smegielski told the audience: “I shouldn’t be here. I should be home watching this convention with my mother. But instead I’m here because I have no mother. She was murdered.” Manning said she was burned on 82 percent of her body when the Twin Towers fell, and Hilary Clinton — who visited her hospital bed and continued to visit throughout the years — helped her recover.

“I love how messy it is,” said Joel. “I love how messy democracy really is. I don’t know if you saw it on TV but there was a lot of controversy where kids were yelling out and screaming over the speakers. It was fascinating to see how deeply… these kids were involved in the political process and how Bernie had really inspired them. And not even kids, there were a lot of mature people who truly believed in his cause. But also I love Philly.”

The Kasses will spend the rest of the election season getting people out to vote.