'Mothers of the Movement': Hillary Will Say Their Names

Hillary Clinton made history as a woman tonight, and the second night of the Democratic National Convention heard from an emotional and powerful group of women: "Mothers of the Movement," women who have lost children to gun violence or police shootings. A video intro explained that a 30-minute meeting with Clinton turned into 2 hours of her listening to their stories. Afterward, they began to travel together to make their voices heard. Nine appeared on stage tonight, and three spoke:

• Geneva Reed-Vead, mother of Sandra Bland: "One year ago yesterday I lived the worst nightmare anyone could imagine. I watched as my daughter Sandra Bland was lowered into the ground in a coffin. ... I am here with Hillary Clinton tonight because she is a leader and a mother who will say our children's names. What a blessing it is to be standing here tonight so that Sandy can still speak through her mama."
• Lucia McBath, mother of Jordan Davis: "I lived in fear that my son would die like this. I even warned him that because he was a young black man he would meet people who wouldn't value him or his life. That is a conversation no parent should ever have with their child. Hillary Clinton isn't afraid to say Black Lives Matter."

• Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin: "I am an unwilling participant in this movement. ... But I am here today for my son, Trayvon Martin, who is in heaven. ... I did not want this spotlight, but I will do everything I can to focus some of this light on a path out of the darkness. ... Hillary Clinton has the courage to lead the fight for common-sense gun legislation. ... Hillary is one mother who can ensure our movement will succeed."

(More Election 2016 stories.)