Massive Turnouts Highlight Tour

On his recently launched National Tour to Fight Oligarchy, Senator Bernie Sanders has consistently attracted enthusiastic crowds across the country. A notable event took place in Warren, Michigan, where over 10,000 attendees gathered. The audience filled Lincoln High School’s gymnasium and overflowed into two additional rooms, with many unable to enter due to capacity constraints.

Critique of Wealth Inequality

Speaking to the passionate crowd, Sanders (I-Vt.) emphasized concerns regarding the current administration. He stated, “We have an administration that is leading us to oligarchy, an administration that is leading us to an authoritarian form of society, an administration that is leading us towards kleptocracy.”

In his remarks, Sanders pointed out that three of the wealthiest individuals—Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg—had a prominent presence at President Donald Trump’s inauguration, highlighting the sway billionaires hold over governance. He remarked, “Instead of a government of the people, by the people and for the people, we have now become a government of the billionaire class, for the billionaire class.”

The Big Lie and Political Accountability

Sanders also addressed the concerning rise of misinformation, particularly focusing on what he termed “the Big Lie.” He described this phenomenon as “creating a parallel universe, a set of ideas that have no basis in reality,” and stressed the need to confront these challenges with honesty and integrity in politics.

The Spirit of Progressivism

The event featured support from various leaders, including Shawn Fain, President of the United Auto Workers, who donned an “Eat the Rich” T-shirt and made strong statements against wealth inequality. “Billionaires don’t have a right to exist,” he declared, echoing sentiments of end-user frustration against the ultra-rich.

Another speaker, Abdul El-Sayed, who has aspirations for a Senate seat, emphasized the larger movement of progressivism evident in the crowd’s size. He remarked, “We are recognizing that in one another, we have all we need to build that government for the people and by the people.”

A Focus on Economic Justice

Sanders’ tour aims to highlight the struggles of working Americans, particularly those living paycheck to paycheck, as he argues against proposed cuts to vital programs. He stated, “Today, the oligarchs and the billionaire class are getting richer and richer and have more and more power…This country belongs to all of us, not just the few. We must fight back.”

Continuing Engagement Across the Nation

The Warren rally adds to a series of successful events in places like Altoona, Pennsylvania, and Kenosha, Wisconsin, where large audiences came out to hear Sanders speak. As he travels to Republican-leaning districts, the senator aims to exert pressure on GOP lawmakers against cuts that could negatively impact working-class families.