Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez Rally in Arizona Against Oligarchic Influence
A vibrant crowd at Arizona State University’s Mullett Arena was urged by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to stand firm against significant federal workforce reductions proposed by President Trump and advisor Elon Musk. This gathering marked the fourth stop of Sanders’ “Fight Oligarchy” tour across key states.
At the heart of their message, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez appealed to voters to reclaim control from the ultra-wealthy, exemplified by Musk, a billionaire advisor to Trump. Sanders declared, “We have a message for Mr. Trump, and that is, we will not allow you to move this country into an oligarchy. We’re not gonna allow you and your friend Mr. Musk and other billionaires to wreak havoc on the working families of this country.”
As a prominent figure in the progressive movement, Sanders acknowledged the current dominance of those wielding economic power and influence. However, he remained hopeful, expressing, “From the bottom of my heart, I am convinced that they can be defeated.”
Ocasio-Cortez echoed these sentiments, warning that the powerful often aim to maintain their influence by fostering division among citizens. She stated, “They specialize in getting us to turn on one another. Along lines of left or right, of race and gender, of status, of creed, of culture, of who you love — they will roll out every label and judgement and cultural debate in the book in order to keep us distracted.”
The congresswoman emphasized the importance of prioritizing collective well-being over self-interest, a tendency she attributes to Trump. She called for focus on issues like affordable health care, living wages, and housing, which she argued are beneficial for all Americans, not just elements of a “communist manifesto.”
Ocasio-Cortez added, “I can tell you that I don’t believe in health care, labor and human dignity because I’m an extremist. I believe in these things because I was a waitress.” She further encouraged Arizonans to carefully choose their congressional representatives, commending local leaders like Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego for opposing a recent GOP spending proposal.
LIVE: Bernie Sanders and AOC’s ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ Tour in Arizona
