Photos by Karen Ball.
What better place to sell “A Future To Believe In” than to an audience with very large futures before them?
Thursday evening, I attended a rally in Chico where United States presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders spoke to a huge, ethnically diverse crowd of students, the elderly, baby boomers, young professionals and families with small children.
Young people made up the majority of the audience.
It seemed ironic that one of the oldest people to run for president in years had totally captured the young voters. The rally had originally been planned to take place in an auditorium with a capacity of 1,300. But it quickly became apparent that was not an appropriate venue for the crush of north state Sanders supporters. Security at the event had not finished tallying the count but I was told they expected the number to reach 9,000, and possibly even more.
Many arrived as early as 1 p.m. to get a spot to hear Sanders speak. People stood or sat in very long casual lines where the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. I was at the West 1st Street gate. There was plenty of shade, and university volunteer hosts were busy moving families with small children and the disabled to a shorter line, while simultaneously handing out free sunscreen.
Outside the gate, the security was minimal with just an occasional police officer riding by on a bicycle. Buildings were open and restrooms were easily available. I spoke with many people in line about why they were there. All were passionate Sanders supporters who believed Sanders holds the key to making the changes our country needs.
Young professionals Aaron Needham and his wife Kristah where there celebrating Aaron’s birthday. This young couple told me they both work two jobs, and still they cannot afford healthcare. Even under Obama care they said that they would have to pay more than $5,000 in back payments to get on the plan. Aaron said that while he believes in universal healthcare the application of Obama care had actually hurt him. He also said that Bernie Sanders reminded him of his grandpa – stubborn and more concerned about what is right than what is popular. Both he and his wife believe things would change for the better if Sanders were president.
One of the first people in line was Karin Mullen. Karin is a single mom who became emotional when talking about her fears for her young daughter’s healthcare and higher education. When asked if she would vote for Hillary Clinton if Sanders was not a candidate, she said possibly, but also said that she might vote for Trump, not because she thinks he would be a good president, but so that a giant economic collapse would cause a paradigm shift and cause the country to change.
I came across an older gentleman who sat in the shade. His name is Eckart Schwab. He is an alien resident from Germany, and a retired physician. He said that Germany already had many of the policies in place that Sanders is pitching. He said the healthcare in Germany was much better for the people as patients, and also that he preferred it as a physician. Schwab also said they had free education and that he felt Bernie Sanders would be good for the United States.
Over all, most people I spoke to were Bernie-or-bust voters, such as students Amanda Garcia and Wilson Lautner. They said that if they can’t vote for Bernie, they won’t vote at all. They spoke about Sander’s honesty, consistency and how different he was from the other candidates.
At 5:30 p.m. the line began to move. At the gate were efficient and courteous TSA Agents who inspected bags while Secret Service agents monitored the body scanners. As we walked into the venue we were welcomed by many greeters, clapping and telling us how happy they were we had come. It made everyone feel very special. Smiles were everywhere, and the atmosphere inside was still very inviting and friendly, however the security was greatly increased.
Though there were many small children in the crowd, not one was crying or even misbehaving. We packed into the area in front of the podium as tightly as we could. Normally, this would send me running for the exit, as I am prone to claustrophobia, but because everyone was so happy and excited, I felt no anxiety. One girl was graciously waving her poster fanning everyone around her. We all had shade from fragrant magnolia trees and music was playing over the loud speakers. Excitement was building and the crowd was buzzing with anticipation.
Folk singer Sarah Lee Guthrie came on stage and led the crowd singing her Grandfather Woody Guthrie’s song “This Land Is Your Land”. The crowd erupted in cheering when Susan Sarandon came out to introduce Bernie Sanders. The roar was deafening when Sanders took the stage but the moment he began to speak …it was silent. Everyone was there to hear what this man had to tell them. This crowd was responsive and respectful. Every point Sanders made drew a loud response … whether booing about Trump’s treatment of nearly every minority group, or electrifying cheering over his proposal to help students with loans and instituting free tuition. The biggest response of the night was, not surprisingly, his proposal to legalize marijuana and to reduce the amount of people in jail and increase the amount of people working and going to school.
As inspirational and likable as Sanders is, possibly his greatest charm is making people believe in each other. I understand now why there are no protests or conflicts at his rallies. These people came out to “feel the Bern” – and Sanders’ revolutionary message is spreading like a wildfire.
Karen Ball, is a Shasta County native. She owns Atlas GPS Models and Take-Offs with her husband Mike. A very active community volunteer for local organizations, she has donated her time and efforts to: Shasta County Registrar’s Office, Kids Unlimited Institute of the Arts, The Mt. Shasta Mall Talent Showcase, Odyssey of the Mind, Happy Valley Strawberry Festival, Geoengineering Watch.Org., as well as the City of Redding, the City of Anderson, Shasta County Adoptions, and several foreign orphanages. She is a foster/adoptive parent, and an advocate for the disabled and veterans. Karen has contributed to various publications including the Redding Record Searchlight and A News Cafe.com.
