Over thousands of people with white and blue signs filled the room. Signs read from “Feel the Bern” to “Bernie” to “Bernie 2020”. The voices of the people echoed throughout the Festival Hall at Navy Pier as they chanted “Bernie, Bernie, Bernie,”.
Senator Bernie Sanders,77, gave a speech to over 10,000 people at Navy Pier, Sunday. As Sander’s kicks off his 2020 campaign, he addressed issues that are not only crucial today, but issues that he has stuck by since his first campaign in 2016.
“We have begun the political revolution, and now we’re going to complete it,” said Sanders, as he began to discuss how he was involved in the Civil Rights Movement in Chicago while attending University of Chicago. His experiences there allowed him to shape what he wanted to do and become who he is today.
Sanders was involved in Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) which was a group of students dedicated to stopping segregation. During his time at University of Chicago and CORE, he faced arrest for his advocacy where they demanded desegregating their housing in the 1960s.
For his 2020 campaign, Sanders intends to reach black voters and fix any shortcomings from his last campaign. During his speech, he read a list of names of young black men who were killed by police officers, including Laquan McDonald.
“Bernie is stressing his life story, talking more about how he fought in the Civil Rights Movement,” said Jura Avizienis,54. A resident from Portland, Maine, Avizienis added that Sanders was unfairly criticized in his 2016 campaign for not reaching out to African American voters. “He is making sure that this criticism can’t be waged this time.”
For this campaign, Sanders enforces diversity with having his campaign managed by Faiz Shakir, who is muslim, and people of different backgrounds as co-chairs: Nina Turner, Ben Cohen, Ro Khanna, and Carmen Yulin Cruz.
“... his messaging is more polished and his campaign staff is less white and male,” said Ricardo Serna, 23, who added that he is relieved that “someone who seems to grasp the severity… of the issues we face is not only putting forth a plan, but also leading a movement to address these issues.”
"We are not only going to defeat Trump, we are going to transform the United States of America," Sanders said as he addressed the issues of climate change and immigration.
Sanders also addressed how it is not a radical idea to suggest that anyone who works 40 hours each week is not living in poverty. Other issues that he addressed consisted of Fight for $15, Medicare for all, and free college tuition.
“If he could manage to get free healthcare for everyone, it would improve lives… it would be the most significant thing any president has accomplished,” said Jonathan Aranda, 21, who added that Sanders is running on socialist policies.
With the announcement of Sanders candidacy, many are excited and feel this election will bring about change. 22-year-old Moises Hernandez feels Sanders will face opposition in the 2020 election.
“With such drastic changes to the government… I can see him having a lot of opposition,” Hernandez said, who added that if everyone who supports him actually votes this time, Sanders has a chance of winning.
Source List:
Name: Jura Avizienis
Email: Javizienis@yahoo.com
Name: Ricardo Serna
Email: Ricardoserna773@gmail.com
Name: Jonathan Aranda
Email: Jaranda874@yahoo.com
Name: Moises Hernandez
Email: Moiseshernandez460@gmail.com