Met by a roaring crowd of supporters who could be heard from blocks away, Vermont Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders made a campaign stop in San Jose Sunday, right before Super Tuesday.
“I’m beginning to think that San Jose is ready for the political revolution,” Sanders said when he walked to the podium at South Hall in Downtown San Jose.
Merchants and campaign volunteers sported Sanders buttons, shirts and hats along the walkways outside the venue. Some supporters crossed great distances to show their support for the senator.
Justin Goldberg said he left his retail job in Chicago, Illinois to travel from city to city and state to state, campaigning for Sanders.
“I said ‘There’s more important stuff I could be doing right now’ and I quit that job and got on a bus to Iowa City about three weeks before the caucuses,” he said.
After canvasing casino workers and union members in Las Vegas, Goldberg said he found fellow Sanders supporters to host him in San Jose, then later in San Mateo.
“Now I’m out here in the Bay Area and it’s just been incredible,” he said. “The most fulfilling time of my life has been the last seven weeks, campaigning for Bernie.”
The 2020 presidential candidate’s rally was free and open to the public. Security required that attendees go through metal detectors before packing inside the hall, behind an American flag that draped over the entire room.
Not even the size of the flag could contain the excitement in the audience, with many cradling their children and embracing loved ones nearby.
Opening acts and speakers for Sanders included the rock band Joyce Manor and The Vagina Monologues playwright Eve Ensler.
“And I want to tell you, I’ve spoken before many groups; this is the loudest group I’ve ever heard,” Sanders said, prompting the audience to cheer louder.
For every moment that erupted into applause, signs as diverse as the audience flew up in the air and blocked the view of Sanders for anyone deep in the crowd.
“Unidos por Bernie,” stated one sign, a Spanish translation of “united for Bernie.”
A crowd of supporters congregated around the entrance outside the venue even during Sanders’ speech.
Music and behavioral science junior Muskan Parashar said she had the afternoon free from schoolwork and was excited to see the candidate she has supported since 2015.
“I was pretty psyched but not surprised because, you know, he’s kind of going everywhere,” Parashar said. “My walk here, I feel like every booth I’ve been to: ‘I love what you’re wearing, I like what your sign says’. Like everyone’s just been so positive and amazing.”
However, not everyone was there to support Sanders.
Attendee Tom Watts stood outside of the venue, holding up a sign saying, “A vote for Sanders is a vote for Trump.”
Watts said he is a Republican who does not support Donald Trump’s reelection and that he knows like-minded individuals who would vote for any Democratic candidate except for Sanders, as they find Sanders too extreme in his leftist leanings.
“Most people in America are moderate. Most people in America are reasonable, whether they’re Democrats or Republicans,” Watts said.
Sanders volunteer and Salinas resident Dante Bonetti, said that he had not yet decided on a candidate and is optimistic that his mind will be set after listening to the senator speak.
“I’m here to support him and volunteer because what he said has really impressed me, but today’s the last speech I could see,” Bonetti said.
