Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez of New York visited Bakersfield during their “Fight Oligarchy” tour and filled the Dignity Health Arena to maximum capacity, with many unable to make it inside.
Over thousands of people wrapped around the arena on Apr. 17 as supporters of Sen. Sanders and Rep. AOC and the Democratic party came out to hear policies that will save government programs that are being dismantled and fight for a livable wage and protecting human rights.
Supporters like Felix Lewis, a highschool student who identifies as transgender came down from Los Angeles with his mother. They are thankful for politicians like Sanders and AOC educating on issues some might be ignorant about, especially conservative supporters.
Bakersfield is known to be in a very conservative county, both politicians know its a political battleground rooted in diverse culture and a rich background of labor movements though are tied up in the lies of President Donald Trump.
AOC was the first to speak and went after Trump’s recent policies and attacks and had some words for Congress David Valedeo, who they claim is planning to cut social security.
She talks about President Trump’s recent attacks on children in the LGBTQ+ community and her solidarity with the Palestinian people and calls for a ceasefire as the crowd erupts in cheers.
She ended her speech mentioning her support for Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil and other students and immigrants who have been arrested and detained by ICE. The American Field Workers invited a field worker to speak about her experience being detained.
The AFW brought out Carolina, a field worker who is a mother of seven and has worked in Kern County since 200. She was recently detained and feared that she would be deported.
Fearing that the life she worked hard for was over, AFW provided her with the resources to fight her case and better working conditions by unionizing her job.
now is able to watch her children who accompanied her on stage reach their American dream.
“Estas son mis manos, están viejas, pero estas manos trabajan para dar todo para mi familia,” dijo Carolina.
“I personally find it heinous that a community like Bakersfield where we have hard working immigrant families who have been feeding this country from farm to table have to live in fear like this,” said AOC.
From taxing the rich their fair share to saving social security Rep. Sanders was met with a standing ovation as he spoke to the audience and called for them to fight for affordable healthcare, housing, and livable wages.
“We are the richest country, yet American citizens, especially those who have a college background, owe over 1 trillion dollars,” said Sanders.
Julie Aranda, a resident here in Bakersfield who is a veteran has been a Bernie supporter since 2011, she loves his policies and what he stands for and politicians like that make her time in the military worth serving.
“Bernie has always been for the working class, since civil rights he’s been out there fighting for what’s right, that’s why I believe in Bernie,” said Aranda.
