On Saturday, thousands made their way to Los Angeles to show their support for Senator Bernie Sanders. This high-profile event has proven to be a critical stop in his still-unfolding, Western-style ride. The hybrid conference drew at least 36,000 registrants — an all-time high for the event. The rally opened with the Raise choir, who raised the crowd’s spirits with their hip-hop-influenced anthem “Power to the People.” Immediately following their performance, Sanders took the stage and addressed a range of serious issues facing our country.
Sanders’s rally is part of his “Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go from Here” tour, which began in late February. This move opens up space for Democratic primary voters. It gives them a platform to protest against the harsh political realities they are experiencing today. The senator’s tour next goes to Utah, Idaho, and Montana. After that, he’ll be back to California—event in Folsom on Tuesday and Bakersfield that evening.
Throughout the speech, Sanders delivered blistering criticism of the new Trump administration. He called them out for their plans to roll out $1.1 trillion in tax breaks to the wealthy. He stated that we are at a time where the Republican party has mostly replaced itself with a cult of personality. The Republican party, which used to challenge the president, now follows Trump’s every whim. Those comments struck a chord with the thousands in attendance, who made their grievances toward misguided federal policies a theme of the day.
Progressive congressmembers Pramila Jayapal and Ro Khanna addressed attendees, reinforcing the message of unity and activism against what they characterise as detrimental policies. Union leaders, including teachers, nurses, longshoremen, and health care workers raised their voices in solidarity. They illustrated the real world consequences that funding cuts have had on their communities.
Cindy Villanuevo provided testimony on her personal connection to the issues at hand. Her reason for being there was due to her husband’s struggles with ALS.
“I’m here because I’m disgusted about what Trump is doing to science. It’s a disgrace. When you cut funding, there’s no hope for any of us,” – Cindy Villanuevo
Connected Nation’s Rose Matthews spoke on her lived experiences with health care, veteran services and more. She specifically mentioned how harmful the deficit bomb Budget Cuts have been to their local facilities, especially for the Long Beach VA.
“I know the folks at the Long Beach VA very well because my husband battled ALS for four years,” – Rose Matthews
In attendance were people including Ali Wolff. Soon, she said, a feeling of relief set in when she found camaraderie with other like-minded individuals at the rally.
“It’s a relief just being here with so many like-minded people,” – Ali Wolff
The rally is a great reflection of the palpable and growing frustration of constituents. They are fed up with how the country has been moving during the Trump administration. Whether or not Sanders wins, his supporters can make a difference. Putting pressure on those in power — usually incumbents — is no small point.
The event served as a vibrant moment of resistance. It brought everyone back to Sanders’s original message about building a progressive movement, a message that started back before many of his younger supporters were born. His equity-centered experience and approach to social justice deeply motivate the people around him. The more he travels across the nation, the larger his dedicated following continues to grow.
As Sanders prepares for his upcoming stops in Utah, Idaho, and Montana, his message remains clear: he seeks to mobilize voters against corporate greed and advocate for policies that benefit the majority rather than the wealthy elite.