The rally against Donald Trump at Arizona State University’s Mullett Arena featured an overflow crowd of Sanders and AOC supporters in Tempe last night. Senator Bernie Sanders (I, VT) and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D, NY) have teamed up for a series of rallies against Trump and Elon Musk. Arizona is just one state that the pair will be visiting. If the goal is to help turn righteous anger into purposeful action, AOC and Sanders are doing great. The size and fervor of the crowds they’re drawing more than proves that. The bigger question is what organizing and action will result.
Sanders and AOC Crowd Overflows at Tempe Rally
Rallies against Trump and Musk are now a common sight in the U.S. So are protests in defense of specific rights jeopardized by the new administration, such as health care. The “fighting oligarchy tour” hosted by Sanders and AOC is a rejection of more than just Republican bigotry and fascism. It’s also a critique of the uselessness of the Democratic party which has offered Trump its belly. Both major parties helped usher in U.S. fascism. What matters more is how to stop it.
A TikTok about the rally by gratefuljenn received over 13k likes and numerous supportive comments. “The people aren’t as divided as the government would hope,” said one commenter, referring to the sizable crowd. Though there are useful critiques of both politicians, there’s no denying AOC and Sanders get enthusiastic responses. One commenter took a moment to mourn the Sanders presidency that could’ve been, saying,
I love this. This is what we could’ve had. America did us all dirty😭
A crowd too large to fit Mullett Arena’s 5,000 seats says something. Nor is the Tempe rally the only event to see an overflow crowd. Protests against Trump, Musk, and ICE have generated huge turnouts in NYC, Boston, and other towns and cities. From red states to blue, more voices are speaking out against the Trump administration. If the president and his allies were hoping for silent submission, they’re in for disappointment.
