Photos by Ben Patton/The Runner
News Editor
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders spoke about his campaign and challenged presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump to a debate during Sanders’ Bakersfield visit to the Kern County Fairgrounds on Saturday.
More than 3,000 members of the community gathered to listen to what Sanders had to say.
“I say to Donald Trump, you’re a big macho guy, you have any guts, come on down and let’s debate,” said Sanders.
The crowd responded with resounding cheers to every jab Sanders gave to Trump.
Trump released a press release on May 27 stating that he found it “inappropriate” to debate Sanders, claiming that because the Democratic nominating process was rigged and that Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton wouldn’t allow Sanders to win, it would not be appropriate for him to debate Sanders because he is “the second-place finisher.”
“As much as I want to debate Bernie Sanders — and it would be an easy payday — I will wait to debate the first place finisher in the Democratic Party, probably Crooked Hillary Clinton or whoever it may be,” said Trump in his press release.
During Sanders’ Bakersfield rally, the Democratic candidate pushed that Trump change his mind and accept his challenge for a debate.
“The other day Trump said yes he would debate, and then he changed his mind and said no he wouldn’t debate, and then he changed his mind again and said he would debate, then he changed his mind again and said he wouldn’t debate,” said Sanders. “So I say to Mr. Trump, change your mind again. Let us have a debate.”
Sanders was very vocal to the thousands attending the rally about how he believes that Americans will not allow Trump to become the next United States President.
“Trump will not become president because the American people will not support a candidate who insults Mexicans and Latinos, who insults Muslims, who insults women and veterans and who insults African-Americans,” said Sanders. “The American people understand that the greatest strength we have as a nation is our diversity.”
Sanders mentioned that every poll that has been published in the last two months has predicted him beating Trump in November’s presidential election.
Sanders also spoke on his vision for America and the power that the youth have had in the primary elections.
“Our vision, a vision of social justice, economic justice, racial justice, environmental justice, that vision is the future of America,” said Sanders.
Sanders said he was proud that he saw a large young crowd at Saturday’s rally.
“Young people have stood up and they have said ‘we are the future of this country and we damn well will help shape that future,’” said Sanders.
CSU Bakersfield biology and sociology major Sabah Sahah, 19, attended the event because she really wanted to see Sanders.
“He’s the only candidate whose platform is to unite people, rather than to divide,” said Sahah.
Sanders also covered topics of marijuana, gay rights, minimum wage, student debt and equal pay.
“In America, people that work 40-50 hours a week should not live in poverty,” said Sanders. “Raise the minimum wage to $15 and hour. Women should not be making 79 cents on the dollar. We are going to fight for pay equity for women.”
Many who attended the rally were inspired by Sanders’ speech and by the big crowd at the event.
Bakersfield College psychology student Chyenne Guey-Mock, 19, found the crowd to be energetic and diverse and said Sanders was amazing and very inspirational.
As for what brought Guey-Mock down to the event, she said she wanted “to be part of history.”
Guey-Mock said that the event inspired her and her friend to volunteer for the Sanders’ campaign.
Current Sanders campaign volunteers Monica Hinson, 28, and Matt Hinson, 26, began to volunteer for the Sanders campaign since January.
The Hinsons volunteer the majority of their free time to help Sanders’ campaign, whether it be by going door-to-door, working with data entry or fundraising.
Matt Hinson felt that the rally was everything that he expected and talked about why he believes people should vote for Sanders.
“He’s for the people,” said Hinson. “He doesn’t take contributions from super PACs.”
Some attendants credited Sanders’ platform and focus on unity as their decision to vote for him.
Others felt that his passion and honesty is what most resonated with them.
“He speaks very passionately. He doesn’t leave any room for interpretation like some candidates,” said Bakersfield resident Hannah Victor.
“I like his honesty. I approve a politician that doesn’t sugarcoat shit,” said BC student Satiyyah Desouza.
Although many of those attending were big Sanders supporters, some were there to educate themselves about the candidate, hoping that the event would help them make a decision on which candidate they would vote for.
Bakersfield resident Selenia Duran, 23, heard about the event through social media and was surprised by the thousands of people that attended the event.
Duran, a first-time voter, was unsure of who her vote would go to come the primaries.
“I’m nervous. I’m feeling the ‘Bern’ but I still don’t know my choice…it all depends after today,” said Duran.
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks at the Bakersfield Rally at the Kern County Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 28.
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks about his visions as future president during his rally on Saturday, May 28.
