By Javier Valdes

News Editor

Bernie Sanders’ supporters and volunteers gathered at Jastro Park on Wednesday, May 18 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for a rally showing support for the Democratic candidate.

The rally featured “Hunger Games” actor Josh Hutcherson and “The Flash” actor Nicholas Gonzalez, as they urged the crowd to go out and register to vote for the upcoming elections.

Although some of the 50-plus attendees showed their support for Sanders wearing shirts that read “Bernie, Bernie, Bernie”and holding “Bernie for President” signs, most of those attending the event were excited Hutcherson fans.

Bakersfield College journalism student Kylie Hendrickson, 27, did not find out about the rally until earlier on Wednesday when her friend messaged her that Hutcherson would be appearing at the event. Hendrickson was disappointed that the event wasn’t really advertised and that not many people showed up. However, she was glad for those who did.

“Just the fact that he [Hutcherson] would come here and that people would gather as a community to do something good is great,” said Hendrickson. “I was surprised not many people were here.”

However, Hutcherson’s appearance wasn’t the only thing that brought Hendrickson down to the rally as she also considers herself a Sanders supporter.

“I lean more toward Bernie, especially with all the candidates out there right now like Trump and Hillary,” said Hendrickson. “Bernie seems to be the best bet.”

As the rally began, Bernie volunteer Mike Jennings spoke about the importance of voter registration, and how those that want to vote for Sanders need to be registered as either non-partisan or Democrat to vote for the candidate.

Jennings also announced that a Bernie Sanders headquarters will be opening Thursday on Truxtun Avenue.

As volunteers spoke about Bakersfield and the amounts of youth and progressives that support Sanders in the area, volunteer Sarah Cooper said, “We will annihilate Hillary Clinton,” as the crowd cheered on.

As Hutcherson approached the stage, he spoke to supporters about the importance of registering and stepping back from the Internet and actually going out there to vote.

“I think that now it is a time of excitement that all these people have from every demographic: age, race, color and everything. You guys are all here and that is representative of America as a whole,” Hutcherson said.

Hutcherson said that the Sanders’ movement has been ignited and it’s not going to stop.

“When Bernie is in office or if he is not, we will have this movement that has been ignited and it’s not going to stop,” he said.

Gonzalez echoed Hutcherson’s words as he continued to speak about the low numbers of those registered when everyone tweets and shares post. They, however, never really step away from their homes to get friends and families registered, noting that without that support nothing is really being done.

“Now, I’m asking you to register. Turn that voice into a vote, and not only that but turn multiple voices into votes,” said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez also spoke about what sealed it for him in his support for Sanders.

“Since the beginning…he [Sanders] said ‘I didn’t get into politics to figure out how to become a senator or president, I got into politics because I give a damn,’” said Gonzalez.

The actors took pictures with fans following the rally and as fans stepped up for a picture the actors would make sure to ask fans if they had registered to vote, sending those who hadn’t to the registration table to register.

BC American Sign Language student Megan Fenwick, 21, stopped by the rally to show her support for Sanders.

This was the first rally that Fenwick has attended. Although she is already registered, she wanted to stop by the registration table because this will be her first time voting, and she had a couple of questions that she needed help answering.

At the registration tables, volunteers answered questions for attendees, gave out stickers and signed volunteers up for future help.

They were also accepting donations for the Sanders campaign.