SALT LAKE CITY — On April 13, thousands gathered at the University of Utah’s Jon M. Huntsman Center for a rally featuring Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) as part of Sanders’ “Fighting Oligarchy” tour.
After the event, Sanders posted on social media, “When it comes to standing up to Trumpism, there is no such thing as a red state.”
Before Ocasio-Cortez took the stage, she noted that an estimated 5,000 individuals were waiting outside the venue to be part of the moment. Meanwhile, a small group of counter-protesters gathered outside. Sebastian Stewart-Johnson, co-founder of the Black Menaces, commented, “If this many people show up in a red state, imagine how activated and upset people are across the country.”
Here’s a summary of the event and key messages from Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez:
Sanders’ Speech:
Sanders thanked former President Donald Trump for “educating the American people about what oligarchy is,” pointing to the presence of billionaires like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg at Trump’s inauguration. He explained that the U.S. is now in a situation where a few billionaires control the government, rather than serving the interests of the majority.
He called for a government that represents the people and condemned corruption in both major political parties. Sanders emphasized that criticism is vital in a functioning democracy and continued to criticize Trump’s administration for attacking judges and universities.
He also addressed international conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict. Sanders denounced both Trump and President Biden’s handling of these issues and said, “It’s not AOC, and it’s not Bernie — it is you,” urging the crowd to rise up in a mass movement of millions.
Ocasio-Cortez’s Speech:
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez echoed Sanders’ concerns, saying, “We’re here because an extreme concentration of power, greed, and corruption is taking over this country like never before.” She focused on the oligarchic nature of American politics and highlighted issues such as federal layoffs, LGBTQ+ rights, and the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
She specifically called out Utah Republican politicians, including Senators John Curtis and Mike Lee, and Representatives Celeste Maloy and Blake Moore. Ocasio-Cortez also criticized Elon Musk and described the extreme wealth inequality in the country as a driving force behind the erosion of rights.
Further criticizing Trump, she claimed the former president’s tariff reversal was a strategic move to enrich his associates. She also referred to Trump’s 34 felony charges, calling him a criminal.
Other Speakers:
The rally began with speeches from local figures, including Sen. Nate Blouin (D-UT), who welcomed the crowd. Other speakers included Sarah Buck of Salt Lake Indivisible, fired federal worker Mike Alosi, independent pharmacist Benjamin Jolley, and former Senate candidate Caroline Gleich. Gleich stirred the crowd with the chant, “Our democracy is not for sale.”
The rally culminated with Sanders delivering a powerful speech set to John Lennon’s “Power to the People,” and the event concluded shortly before 8 p.m.
Following the Utah rally, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are set to continue their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour with stops in Idaho and Montana.
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