With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Photos: Over 27,000 Berners Rally For Bernie Sanders In Los Angeles
It was a packed house last night with over 27,000 "Berners" supporting Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders cheering, chanting and stomping in support of his campaign rally in Los Angeles.
The energy level at the L.A. Memorial Sports Arena was high. LAist's photographer, Perhansa Skallerup said it was on par with a "popular Christian rock concert." A campaign spokesperson told Variety that since the arena could only hold 17,500, the rest of the people who showed up to the rally were in an overflow area outside that had giant TV screens projected the rally. The crowd was a mix of young college-aged folks, older hippies, and a largely white turnout, though there were also Latinos, Asians and blacks in the crowd. People held signs like "Feel the Bern" and "Shine Bright Like A Bernie," and there were others with "Black Lives Matters" shirts and signs.
Sanders' rally even trotted out a celebrity. Comedian Sarah Silverman introduced him to the stage. "I give you, if we’re all very smart and a little bit lucky, the next president of the United States," Silverman said as the crowd erupted in applause.
Support for LAist comes from
Earlier this week at a Seattle rally, members of the city's Black Lives Matter chapter interrupted his rally to push him to focus on racial justice. The push worked and he vowed to make racial justice a part of his platform last night: "There is no president, none, one year after the death of Michael Brown, no president who will fight harder to end institutional racism than I will."
Sanders's new national press secretary, Symone Sanders, who is not related to Bernie and is a staunch supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, went on stage to show her support for him. "It is very important that we say the words 'black lives matter,' Symone Sanders said. "But it's also important to have people in political office who are going to turn those words into action. No candidate for president is going to fight harder for criminal justice reform and racial justice issues than Senator Bernie Sanders."
The candidate, who is competing against Hillary Rodham Clinton in the presidential race for the Democratic nomination, is a self-described "socialist." He gave Los Angeles kudos for raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, talked about the need for public colleges and universities to have free tuition for students, and discussed the problems with mass incarceration. He discussed immigration, about giving people a path to citizenship, which gave way to uproarious applause from the crowd.
"This is an economy that is rigged and meant to benefit those on top," Bernie Sanders said. "We need an economy that works for all people."
At 73, Bernie Sanders was energized and strong, and his voice was even a little hoarse by the end. He left the stage while Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" played in the background.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails.
Best of LAist