Tens of thousands of people gathered in the vibrant city of Los Angeles for a significant rally organized by Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC). This event aimed to challenge the increasing dominance of billionaires and corporations in politics, particularly under the administration of former President Donald Trump.
On Saturday, Sanders addressed the enthusiastic crowd at the Gloria Molina Grand Park, marking the latest stop on his ongoing “Fighting Oligarchy” tour. During his speech, he warned that Trump was steering the nation towards “an authoritarian form of society.” His emphatic declaration, “Mr. Trump, we ain’t going there!” resonated deeply with the approximately 36,000 attendees, who erupted in applause.
Sanders highlighted the alarming fact that a small group of billionaires exercises significant control over the economic and political landscape of the United States. He urged attendees to recognize their collective power, stating that their presence at the rally would likely make Trump and his tech billionaire ally, Elon Musk, “very nervous.” This sentiment reflects a growing concern among many Americans regarding the influence of wealth in politics.
Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez also took the stage, vehemently criticizing Trump’s “corrupt and disastrous tariff scheme.” She argued that the policies were less about fostering domestic manufacturing and more about manipulating markets for the benefit of the wealthy. “It was about hurting retirees and everyday people in the stock selloff, so Trump could quietly enrich his friends who he nudged to buy in the dip before reversing it all the next morning,” she explained, energizing the crowd further.
According to Al Jazeera’s Rob Reynolds, this rally is part of a broader movement of resistance against the Trump administration and its policies, particularly the efforts to dismantle the social safety net while providing tax breaks for the affluent. The “Fighting Oligarchy” tour also plans to extend its reach to voters in states such as Idaho, Utah, and Montana—states that Trump won in the last presidential election. The aim is to connect with those experiencing “buyer’s regret” regarding their voting choices.
The progressive and leftist rhetoric presented during the event has struck a chord with individuals disillusioned by Trump’s policies and frustrated by the lack of opposition from established Democrats. As attendee David Rasmussen articulated, “We’ve all got to rise up together, fight it, push it back, make something else happen because this cannot go on.” This rally symbolizes a critical moment for many Americans who are eager for political change.
