Baltimore Mayor 'Gavels In' 2016 Democratic National Convention

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Democratic National Convention is underway Monday, and a familiar face kicked off the event. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake struck the gavel at 4 p.m. to usher in the start of the convention, which serves to unite the Democratic party heading into the 2016 Presidential election.

Outgoing head of the Democratic National Committee Debbie Wasserman Schultz was originally supposed to "gavel in" the start of the formal proceedings but is departing amid accusations that she conspired to damage the Bernie Sanders campaign.

Instead, Rawlings-Blake performed the honorary duty of ringing in the convention with the strike of a gavel. Rawlings-Blake is the secretary of the Democratic National Committee.

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