Senator Bernie Sanders Brings His Message to Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia was ready to “Feel the Bern” as Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont held a campaign rally at the St. James Complex in Springfield, VA on Saturday. People braved the blustery conditions to hear Sen. Sanders speak as the Super Tuesday nears on March 3. Voters in the Commonwealth came out in droves as the message of “for the people, by the people,” echoed throughout the sea of blue-cladded supporters, waving signs and responding with thunderous chants of “Bernie, Bernie” with the kind of volume that reached stadium-level decibels.
Walking among the crowd, we noticed the diversity in not only ethnicity, but in age of those in attendance. The energy that was supplied by millennials and Generation Z was multiplied by the cheers of support from those in their golden years. It represented the melting pot of America, and what has become the base for Sen. Sanders’ campaign. Children probably too young to notice the enormity of the event were wearing Baby Yoda t-shirts with the words, “Bernie 2020” on them.
On our way to the event, we spoke with a gentleman who held up a sign that said, “America’s Farmers for Bernie.” When we asked him how he felt about how Sen. Sanders would help farmers the man stated, “He’s going to take back the money stolen by Wall Street and Monsanto and give it back to the hard working men and women who keep America’s heartland going.”
Sanders spoke of his vision for an America that works for the working class, and how he is going to initiate policies such as the Green New Deal, which recently passed in Virginia, in an effort to combat the growing threat of climate change. Among the efforts he mentioned was to hold the fossil fuel companies responsible for their actions. One statement was made as he addressed President Donald Trump’s claim of climate change being a hoax: “Mr. President, climate change is not a hoax, you are a hoax,” which received a raucous ovation from the attendees.
Whether it was discussing canceling student debt, ending mass incarceration, or eliminating immigration policies by the current administration, it was clear that Sen. Sanders’ message resonated with everyone to the very last word. Chants of support continued even after the rally was over. Although the results of Super Tuesday will tell the final story, it was obvious who everyone at the St. James Complex was going to cast their vote for.