Senator Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, addressed a large gathering at a rally in Los Angeles, where he warned of a period of “extraordinary danger” in the United States, criticizing the political, economic, and social policies of former President Donald Trump. According to his team, 36,000 supporters attended the event. Sanders, who also visited the Coachella music festival over the weekend, has been traveling across the country to express opposition to the policies of the Republican administration.
In his speech at the rally, Sanders highlighted the urgent nature of the current challenges, stressing that the response would affect not only the present generation but also future ones. As part of his national “Fight Oligarchy” tour, the senator voiced concerns about Trump’s perceived prioritization of billionaire interests over those of the working class. He remarked, “We are living today in an oligarchic form of society.”
While Sanders was in Los Angeles, Trump was on the opposite coast, attending the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event in Miami, where he received applause and chants of “U.S.A.” from the crowd. Speaking to reporters, Trump mentioned feeling acknowledged by the positive reception, stating it reflected well on his performance.
Senator Sanders’ rally also featured musical performances by Joan Baez and Neil Young and was attended by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, a prominent critic of Trump. Ocasio-Cortez spoke about the overpowering influence of corporate interests and lobbyists in the U.S., which she argued contributes to wealth inequality and challenges for workers. She described the current administration as one marked by the governance of billionaires, leading to various societal issues.
Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez plan to continue their tour with additional stops in Idaho, California, and Montana this week.
