By Kori Marie
Impromptu Decision and Journey Friday, March 21st
I woke up and had the spontaneous urge to hit the road and attend Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative AOC’s “Fight the Oligarchy” tour. I knew they had an event planned in Denver that day, but hadn’t planned on going as it is almost a 4-hour drive that I’d have to make alone. With a quick check of road conditions, I took off up and over the Rocky Mountains, through Vail Pass to Denver.
Arrival in Denver and the Crowd
Once I got into Denver, I got as close as I could to the Civic Center using my GPS, as I am not familiar with the area. Worried about parking as the streets were packed with cars and people, I parked about 6 blocks away at the first public parking lot that I saw. Once I got out of the car, I realized that I did not even need my GPS to find my way the several blocks to the Civic Center. The streets were flooded like a parade assembly as masses of people from all directions began merging together and all headed towards the same direction.
Rally Atmosphere
I knew that they were all going to this rally. The feeling in the air was just one of excitement and hope, solidarity and interest in like-minded strangers. It was as diverse as a group could get; parents with small children, elders with walking aids, large groups of young people who carpooled together. One thing I noticed immediately was many people wearing keffiyehs, a Palestinian symbol of resistance. People began talking to each other excitedly as we approached the Civic Center in anticipation to hear Bernie Sanders speak.
Counter-Protest and Long Lines
As far as counter protests, we passed by two men outside the arena wearing MAGA hats and waving the Israel flag. The crowd simply streamed past the two men as they screamed about the “woke mind virus”. Once at the Civic Center, there were long lines consisting of hundreds of people, weaving around every visible walkway. Nobody knew which line was the real line, where the line started, or where the line ended.
The Crowd and Arrival
Even amongst the chaos, everyone was courteous of others and patient. As it got close to the time that Bernie and AOC would arrive, people started climbing trees, sitting on high walls, and lifting small children onto shoulders, trying to get any chance at a view. Later, 35,000 people including myself, were counted having gone through security and made it inside. Another several thousand stuck outside on in overflow still stayed and listened with anticipation. I was very lucky to have gotten a spot right where Bernie and AOC were unloaded with their staff. As Bernie pulled up, you could see him visibly shocked at the crowd size, jaw dropped and eyes wide as he took us all in.
The Rally and AOC’s Speech
The pair had just arrived from Greely where earlier in the day they held a rally which attracted over 12,000 people. When AOC took the stage, she focused her speech on class consciousness and the corruption of involving money in politics. She also spoke about needing unity among the people.
Concerns Regarding Government Policies and Corruption
Representative Alexandria addressed her concerns over the Trump administration’s agenda of abolishing the Department of Education, Medicaid, and Social Security. She also talked about the corruption currently amongst the Trump Administration and within politics across both parties.
Call for Action and Betterment
AOC urged the people not to give into despair. “What they consider radical is common sense,” she explained, “I don’t want us to live like this anymore. We deserve better.”
Highlighting Political Actions and Inactions
AOC gave a special shout out to Brittany Pettersen, who had to rush onto a plane to D.C., late at night with her four-week old baby, so she could vote no in an attempt to help protect Colorado’s Medicaid. AOC then called out Dave Evans and other Colorado Republican representatives for not holding Town Hall Meetings.
Addressing Marginalized Groups and Concluding Remarks
Many people have voiced concern over the Democratic party abandoning it’s base in an attempt to appease Republicans. She addressed this by stating “LGBT people were thrown under the bus in an attempt to win the election.” While closing, AOC attempted to instill in us hope, unity and solidarity. “We are going to get through this, we are going to win.”
Bernie’s Address and Observations
Then Bernie took the stage. Visibly shaken and in awe, he opens by explaining that this was by far the biggest turn out he has ever had. Previous rallies he held in Denver while running for president averaged about 10,000 people. His team had counted at least 35,000 people who Entered into the Civic Center. However, there were easily another 20,000+ people outside surrounding the center for several blocks, listening in on loudspeakers. Bernie made it clear that, “The world is watching to see if Americans resist Trumpism.” Bernie moves on to address Trump directly, urging the president to “turn off Fox News and read the Constitution”. He raised concerns about the violation of first amendment protections, citing PBS and NPR being investigated by the Trump administration as well as several other reporting agencies being sued by Trump.
Critique of Wealth Inequality and Domestic Policy
Bernie then goes on to name Musk, Bezos, and Zuckerberg as the three people who sat front row at the inauguration with several more billionaires sat behind them. Bernie brings up addiction, however, he states that the real addiction issue is the addiction of greed among the oligarchy. He addresses the cuts to the VA and nutrition programs for children and explains that these cuts are happening to accommodate tax cuts for the rich.
Shift to Foreign Policy and Response to Gaza Concerns
The most important part of the entire rally was when he shifted to from domestic to foreign policy. At first, he spoke about Ukraine and Russia, how Trump had lied stating that Ukraine started the war. Myself and several others throughout the crowd started shouting out, “Gaza! Save Gaza!” Instead of ignoring us, Bernie did in fact switch the topic from Ukraine to address us on Gaza. “Trump wants to continue the horrific. Biden policy of giving more money to Netanyahu, to destroy the Palestinian people.” The crowd absolutely erupted. Bernie continued, “We are going to bring legislature to the floor very shortly, which says not a nickel more for Netanyahu.” The crowd roared with approval as keffiyehs were waved in the air by some, two fingers symbolizing peace and victory held up by others, and many calling for a Free Palestine. Myself and others, while understanding the lobbying power of AIPAC, felt frustrated that many politicians are supporting this genocide, across the aisle. Bernie goes on by saying, “Brothers and sisters there is today, a profound disgust at both political parties.”
Critique of Political Parties and Policy Proposals
Reminiscent of a campaigning Sanders, he loudly criticized Democrats and Republicans for the money that is influencing their political agendas. Making sure to separate progressives as “those truly supporting the working class.” He goes on to address greedy insurance companies, the need for Universal Health Care, the minimum wage, the need to protect unions, the citizens united ruling by SCOTUS, prescription drug costs, climate change, education, and student loan debt. He made sure to emphasize that all of these beliefs are not radical as most Americans support these types of policies.
Call for Unity
Senator Sander ends his speech; “The right wing wants us to turn on each other….99% is a lot bigger than 1%. We have to work together. If we stand together, we don’t let them divide us up, there is nothing that can stop us.”
I took away that people are scared and angry and want to do something but need direction. They need to be told what to do. AOC talked about getting to know our neighbors and having tough conversations. Bernie talked about grassroots organizing and fund raising for local progressive candidates. They both stressed the importance of letting everyone know that Republicans all voted to trade social programs like Medicaid and Social Security in order to give tax cuts to billionaires. While an estimated 35,000 were counted entering through Security, there were almost as many people stuck in overflow. It felt very empowering, and I hope it inspires many to get more active. My critiques are I would have liked both of them to call the genocide what it is, while I do believe public pressure has pushed them to go against their fears of what AIPAC may do. I believe some of their views are rather centrist, but I believe they are a good gateway for some people towards more progressive ideas but overall would like to see them lean even further towards socialism. They didn’t explicitly say support Democrats and they also didn’t say they’d be starting their own party. I think they could’ve set up a much clearer action plan. Indivisible is successful because of this; names and local orgs, action plans, QR or text codes for info. However, I felt these things were lacking. Overall, it did give me hope to see such a large crowd of people wanting to defend social programs and make change in spite of the current administration.
The Revolutionist 