Democratic leaders gather to denounce Donald Trump's presidential bid

SAN ANTONIO – One of the first salvos fired at the Texas Democratic Convention at the Alamodome in San Antonio was aimed directly at Donald Trump. A group of Democratic leaders from across the state gathered for a press conference to denounce the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

"He is someone who is both divisive (and) tearing people apart," said U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, a San Antonio native. "(He is) stoking people's fears and resentments, dividing Americans against each other."

State Sen. Sylvia Garcia of Houston, who represents District 6, is at the convention to give a keynote address. Garcia has thrown her support behind presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and says Trump already is a large focus of this convention, criticizing his comments on immigration and other issues.

"People are just angry," Garcia said. "I think they are going to fight back and they are going to fight back at the ballot box."

Other business is taking place, including caucusing to prepare for the national convention later this summer in Philadelphia. Most attendees at the state convention agree the presidential race has been good for the political process.

"It's brought a lot of people out and gotten them involved and interested who haven't been interested in the past," Audrey Moorehead, a delegate from Dallas, said.

Mayor Sylvester Turner is also scheduled to give a keynote address after 8 p.m. Friday.  He will be introduced by Garcia.


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