1 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:20,200 Speaker 1: On Saturday, April twelfth, twenty twenty five, Senator Bernie Sanders 2 00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:24,840 Speaker 1: and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortes held their Fighting Oligarchy Rally 3 00:00:24,840 --> 00:00:26,439 Speaker 1: in Los Angeles at Grand Park. 4 00:00:27,040 --> 00:00:30,280 Speaker 2: Senator Bernie Sanders has traveled all across the United States 5 00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:32,920 Speaker 2: to discuss how we move forward to take on the 6 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:36,000 Speaker 2: oligarchs and corporate interests who have so much power and 7 00:00:36,080 --> 00:00:45,000 Speaker 2: influence in this country. By the way, I'm Viosa and. 8 00:00:44,960 --> 00:00:51,680 Speaker 1: I'm Mala, and you're listening to loc at Tho Radio. 9 00:00:50,360 --> 00:00:53,400 Speaker 2: Today, we'll be breaking down what we heard and what 10 00:00:53,440 --> 00:00:57,600 Speaker 2: we saw at the Fighting Oligarchy Rally. Before we dive 11 00:00:57,640 --> 00:01:01,200 Speaker 2: into the coverage, let's define what an oligarchy is. 12 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:05,280 Speaker 1: An oligarchy is what happens when a small group of 13 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:10,880 Speaker 1: people have a huge and unnecessary amount of control over 14 00:01:10,920 --> 00:01:13,840 Speaker 1: an entire country, organization, or institution. 15 00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:18,320 Speaker 2: Some past examples of that to kind of ground the 16 00:01:18,319 --> 00:01:23,400 Speaker 2: times that we're living in are one Elon Musk running Doge. 17 00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:28,720 Speaker 2: Billionaires were front row at Trump's inauguration this past January, 18 00:01:28,880 --> 00:01:33,800 Speaker 2: like Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos and a couple others. 19 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:38,200 Speaker 2: The further we get into lok Atra Radio, the more 20 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:43,360 Speaker 2: we see the importance of recording moments, events, interviews as 21 00:01:43,440 --> 00:01:49,520 Speaker 2: part of this audio archive. I arrived to Clodia Molina 22 00:01:49,560 --> 00:01:52,720 Speaker 2: Grand Park, which is situated right next to City Hall 23 00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:56,240 Speaker 2: in downtown Los Angeles. This was also the very first 24 00:01:56,280 --> 00:01:59,360 Speaker 2: time that we applied for press passes. We've never done 25 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 2: that before. Anytime we've gone to cover something, it's very informal, 26 00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:05,560 Speaker 2: but this was the first time we went through the 27 00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:09,480 Speaker 2: process because we thought this is a historical moment and 28 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:13,000 Speaker 2: it was. I arrived a little after eight am, and 29 00:02:13,080 --> 00:02:17,600 Speaker 2: at this time, reporters, journalists, news crews, and content creators 30 00:02:17,919 --> 00:02:22,200 Speaker 2: are setting up and around eight forty am the first 31 00:02:22,280 --> 00:02:26,799 Speaker 2: wave of people were let in. By ten am, the 32 00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:30,680 Speaker 2: park was pretty full, and by twelve pm there was 33 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:35,519 Speaker 2: overflow into the steps of City Hall and the closed 34 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:37,120 Speaker 2: streets surrounding the park. 35 00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:40,280 Speaker 1: One of the first speakers at the Fighting Oligarchy rally 36 00:02:40,480 --> 00:02:44,720 Speaker 1: was council member isabel Hourado, who you might recognize as 37 00:02:45,040 --> 00:02:48,920 Speaker 1: having done an interview on Locatho radio before she won 38 00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:53,799 Speaker 1: her council seat. And Isabelle, along with other local organizers, 39 00:02:53,880 --> 00:02:57,280 Speaker 1: union reps, and elected officials, laid out the foundation for 40 00:02:57,360 --> 00:03:01,359 Speaker 1: the rally council Member Hourrado discussed how she didn't follow 41 00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:05,200 Speaker 1: the Democratic establishment's playbook because it wasn't designed for people 42 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:05,639 Speaker 1: like me. 43 00:03:06,639 --> 00:03:11,480 Speaker 3: And I seem on small donor campaigns, and. 44 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:14,600 Speaker 1: She also highlighted the importance of grassroots organizing, how she 45 00:03:14,639 --> 00:03:17,160 Speaker 1: and her campaign knocked on over one hundred and twenty 46 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:22,600 Speaker 1: thousand doors, ultimately resulting in an upset and a win 47 00:03:22,919 --> 00:03:25,000 Speaker 1: against a longtime incumbent. 48 00:03:25,639 --> 00:03:29,840 Speaker 2: Else because that's what the power of the community has. 49 00:03:29,919 --> 00:03:32,480 Speaker 2: It was so special to see council Member isab Huado 50 00:03:32,600 --> 00:03:35,520 Speaker 2: because we interviewed her, we saw the work that she 51 00:03:35,640 --> 00:03:39,600 Speaker 2: was doing, and she unseated a long time incumbent, someone 52 00:03:39,600 --> 00:03:43,440 Speaker 2: that has been an established elected official and was also 53 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:47,720 Speaker 2: caught on the FED tapes in twenty twenty two. So 54 00:03:47,800 --> 00:03:50,920 Speaker 2: to see her as the opening speaker was so powerful. 55 00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 2: And to know that she was a tenants rights lawyer 56 00:03:54,120 --> 00:03:57,960 Speaker 2: and she's for the people. She speaks like an everyday person, 57 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:01,120 Speaker 2: which I think makes her so really and easy to 58 00:04:01,160 --> 00:04:03,880 Speaker 2: connect with, and that was just really great to see. 59 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:05,760 Speaker 1: How did the crowd respond. 60 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:10,960 Speaker 2: People were so engaged. There was a lot of clapping 61 00:04:11,160 --> 00:04:13,560 Speaker 2: and like call and response type moments. 62 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:16,480 Speaker 3: And now as we continue to fight this federal and 63 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:21,440 Speaker 3: administration who's throwing everything they can. Whether we're immigrants, we're clear, 64 00:04:21,800 --> 00:04:24,680 Speaker 3: we're trans because when they come after one of us, 65 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:26,680 Speaker 3: they're coming after. 66 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:32,200 Speaker 1: All of us. And everyone was just like vibing, Yeah, 67 00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:36,080 Speaker 1: they were into it. It really felt like the folks 68 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:39,120 Speaker 1: who were in attendance were very passionate about being there, 69 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:43,240 Speaker 1: that there was a sense of urgency, a sense that 70 00:04:43,440 --> 00:04:47,080 Speaker 1: they need to get up and do something. And this 71 00:04:47,200 --> 00:04:51,440 Speaker 1: question of well what now Trump has been elected and 72 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:54,799 Speaker 1: now what and it seemed to be the question motivating 73 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:57,400 Speaker 1: a lot of folks and their presence there, and more 74 00:04:57,440 --> 00:04:59,880 Speaker 1: about that later. We do have some clips from the crowd. 75 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:03,960 Speaker 1: As far as speakers, we also heard from council Member 76 00:05:04,040 --> 00:05:09,159 Speaker 1: Oenissas Hernandez, council member for District one and a council member. 77 00:05:09,160 --> 00:05:11,279 Speaker 1: Hernandez made a point of saying that if you think 78 00:05:11,279 --> 00:05:15,239 Speaker 1: you're not affected by California's progressivism, you're wrong. 79 00:05:16,160 --> 00:05:18,440 Speaker 4: I love this city, I was born and raised in 80 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:21,160 Speaker 4: this city, and I'm right Gala City every day. 81 00:05:21,440 --> 00:05:25,080 Speaker 5: But if you think, but if you think. 82 00:05:24,920 --> 00:05:27,560 Speaker 4: Cala doesn't feel the impact with those policies because of 83 00:05:27,560 --> 00:05:30,960 Speaker 4: our soul called progressivism, I hate to break it to you. 84 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:33,680 Speaker 4: Look around, Ask the person next to you if they 85 00:05:33,680 --> 00:05:36,480 Speaker 4: have a savings, Ask them if they're beret, a student debt, 86 00:05:36,880 --> 00:05:39,520 Speaker 4: Ask them if they can afford rent, if they have healthcare, 87 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:42,080 Speaker 4: if they think they'll ever to be able to buy 88 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:45,320 Speaker 4: a house in this city. This administration wants you to 89 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:46,680 Speaker 4: believe that the reason you can't buy. 90 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:50,800 Speaker 1: Councilmember Hernandez also talked about building new systems and cited 91 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:54,200 Speaker 1: police budgets. Forty three percent of the La city budget 92 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:57,840 Speaker 1: is spent on police funding and two times as much 93 00:05:57,880 --> 00:06:01,920 Speaker 1: on police uniforms and the entire Youth Development department. A 94 00:06:02,080 --> 00:06:05,560 Speaker 1: Council Member Hernandez also commented on Gaza. 95 00:06:05,880 --> 00:06:08,799 Speaker 4: Why is there always money to gone children in Gaza 96 00:06:09,040 --> 00:06:10,159 Speaker 4: but not enough to make. 97 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:17,000 Speaker 6: Sure every kid has We don't have a budget crisis, 98 00:06:17,440 --> 00:06:19,839 Speaker 6: we have a crisis of our values, and if we're 99 00:06:19,880 --> 00:06:23,120 Speaker 6: serious about budding flascism, we have to dismantle the systems 100 00:06:23,120 --> 00:06:24,240 Speaker 6: out of holed it. 101 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:27,200 Speaker 4: Because budgets are not neutral. Budgets are fludprints with the 102 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:30,040 Speaker 4: world we are building, were stament of our values and 103 00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:33,320 Speaker 4: most importantly, it's your money. It's your money. 104 00:06:35,920 --> 00:06:38,880 Speaker 1: So Councilmember Hernandez really touched on a lot of things 105 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:42,520 Speaker 1: on the minds of Angelino's the budget, the police, debt, 106 00:06:42,839 --> 00:06:45,719 Speaker 1: rent health insurance, and Gaza. 107 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:48,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I think that was really notable because they're 108 00:06:49,279 --> 00:06:52,840 Speaker 2: from what I've seen and what I've heard, one of 109 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:56,800 Speaker 2: the biggest frustrations from at least the people that we're 110 00:06:56,839 --> 00:06:59,520 Speaker 2: in community with or that we know or that have 111 00:06:59,560 --> 00:07:03,440 Speaker 2: been critical the Democratic Party have been talking about their 112 00:07:03,720 --> 00:07:08,200 Speaker 2: lack of response or their lack of pressure when it 113 00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:12,600 Speaker 2: comes to Gaza and the genocide in Palestine, And so 114 00:07:12,680 --> 00:07:15,600 Speaker 2: I thought council member Unisa said an one this calling 115 00:07:15,640 --> 00:07:19,160 Speaker 2: this out at the very beginning was really important because 116 00:07:19,720 --> 00:07:23,640 Speaker 2: even if maybe more established Dems aren't talking about it, like, 117 00:07:23,720 --> 00:07:27,200 Speaker 2: there's clearly some that are, and there's elected officials that 118 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:29,440 Speaker 2: are doing it, and they're taking into account like the 119 00:07:29,640 --> 00:07:31,640 Speaker 2: issues that are important to their constituents. 120 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:34,640 Speaker 1: And I think at this point it's there's an expectation, 121 00:07:35,200 --> 00:07:37,880 Speaker 1: you know, that someone in a position of power like 122 00:07:37,920 --> 00:07:42,440 Speaker 1: a city council person, make their stance on Gaza known. 123 00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:45,520 Speaker 1: And if you're not talking about it, it's not it's 124 00:07:45,560 --> 00:07:48,040 Speaker 1: not really an option anymore not to talk about it. 125 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:50,560 Speaker 2: It's like if you're not about it, it's it's like 126 00:07:50,600 --> 00:07:52,640 Speaker 2: a litmus test for people now and I get it, 127 00:07:52,920 --> 00:07:54,280 Speaker 2: and I get it, and so I thought it was 128 00:07:54,320 --> 00:07:57,760 Speaker 2: really important that she brought that up pretty early on. 129 00:07:58,400 --> 00:08:01,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, and it's a really setting the tone I think 130 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:04,840 Speaker 1: of this rally and what it's about. I think that 131 00:08:05,680 --> 00:08:08,440 Speaker 1: folks were really going there so to speak. When it 132 00:08:08,480 --> 00:08:11,400 Speaker 1: came to the speakers and the folks in the crowd 133 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:12,800 Speaker 1: and the reasons why they were there, I think they 134 00:08:12,800 --> 00:08:13,520 Speaker 1: were looking for that. 135 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:17,320 Speaker 2: Absolutely. There was also a Congress member that was in 136 00:08:17,360 --> 00:08:21,160 Speaker 2: participation that was actually from Florida, and he is first 137 00:08:21,360 --> 00:08:25,200 Speaker 2: gen Z member of Congress and he represents Florida's tenth district. 138 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:28,760 Speaker 2: And this was my first time hearing him speak and 139 00:08:28,800 --> 00:08:31,640 Speaker 2: hearing what he was about. And something that I really 140 00:08:32,080 --> 00:08:34,480 Speaker 2: I jotted down when he was speaking was he said, 141 00:08:34,559 --> 00:08:36,559 Speaker 2: solidary without action is just sympathy. 142 00:08:37,240 --> 00:08:41,120 Speaker 6: And my friends, I'm here today's to say solidarity without action. 143 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:47,000 Speaker 6: It's just sympathy. Solidarity for our movement, for everybody here 144 00:08:47,040 --> 00:08:49,600 Speaker 6: and across the country has to be a. 145 00:08:49,720 --> 00:08:52,360 Speaker 3: Word and freaking of that word. 146 00:08:52,800 --> 00:08:56,239 Speaker 4: Today we have many organizations. 147 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:57,319 Speaker 6: Failing to make sure. 148 00:08:57,240 --> 00:08:59,880 Speaker 7: You don't we speak with him, don't let your solid leave. 149 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:01,440 Speaker 6: It's smart without. 150 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:03,240 Speaker 8: Signing up to do the next thing? Can you do 151 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:03,600 Speaker 8: that now? 152 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:09,800 Speaker 2: Sampless, and he encouraged everyone to not leave the park 153 00:09:09,960 --> 00:09:12,960 Speaker 2: without signing up to do the next thing. In addition 154 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:16,720 Speaker 2: to speakers, there were also vendors. There were also organizations 155 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:19,400 Speaker 2: tabling so that you could do the next thing. And 156 00:09:19,440 --> 00:09:22,760 Speaker 2: I thought that that was a really important statement because 157 00:09:22,840 --> 00:09:26,160 Speaker 2: so many people are asking that question, what now? And 158 00:09:26,240 --> 00:09:29,880 Speaker 2: this event is just one thing that you can participate in, 159 00:09:29,960 --> 00:09:31,319 Speaker 2: but there's still so much more to do. 160 00:09:31,640 --> 00:09:34,440 Speaker 1: It's a rally like this is I think meant to 161 00:09:34,520 --> 00:09:39,640 Speaker 1: like energize people who already are feeling anxious and who 162 00:09:39,679 --> 00:09:42,800 Speaker 1: already want to move on this and to make a difference. 163 00:09:42,840 --> 00:09:47,120 Speaker 1: And it's about pumping people up and propelling them forward 164 00:09:47,200 --> 00:09:51,000 Speaker 1: into action. This is not necessarily the action itself, absolutely, 165 00:09:51,160 --> 00:09:52,840 Speaker 1: you know it is. It's a rally, just like it 166 00:09:52,880 --> 00:09:55,960 Speaker 1: sounds like it's like a big pep talk. Yes, you know, 167 00:09:56,200 --> 00:09:58,920 Speaker 1: like now go out and do it. We'll be right 168 00:09:58,960 --> 00:10:00,280 Speaker 1: back after this break. 169 00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:07,120 Speaker 2: And we're back. We want to recognize that there were 170 00:10:07,280 --> 00:10:12,280 Speaker 2: union members and leaders that were prominently represented at this rally. 171 00:10:12,679 --> 00:10:18,600 Speaker 2: Some included Local seven to four ilwu Utla, and I 172 00:10:18,640 --> 00:10:22,040 Speaker 2: also thought this was such an important factor because it 173 00:10:22,360 --> 00:10:26,319 Speaker 2: was showing us the class solidarity and really how important 174 00:10:26,440 --> 00:10:30,680 Speaker 2: unions are and that the Democratic Party was at one 175 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:34,360 Speaker 2: point the working Class Party, and unions were so have 176 00:10:34,559 --> 00:10:37,280 Speaker 2: so much power and have historically had a lot of 177 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:39,720 Speaker 2: people power. And so I thought that that was like 178 00:10:39,880 --> 00:10:42,600 Speaker 2: really important and like very strategic. Like I saw it. 179 00:10:42,640 --> 00:10:44,080 Speaker 2: I was like, I see what we're doing here. 180 00:10:45,160 --> 00:10:45,360 Speaker 5: Yeah. 181 00:10:45,480 --> 00:10:51,079 Speaker 1: One, I mean, the Working Families Party was heavily involved 182 00:10:51,080 --> 00:10:54,520 Speaker 1: in this event, was one of the organizers of the event, 183 00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:58,160 Speaker 1: and so it makes sense. Folks are there about very 184 00:10:58,440 --> 00:11:05,600 Speaker 1: like concrete issues, you know, working labor, our ability to 185 00:11:05,640 --> 00:11:08,960 Speaker 1: support ourselves and to live. I mean, it's pretty basic stuff, 186 00:11:09,240 --> 00:11:12,360 Speaker 1: but basic needs. It's basic needs, but it's become so 187 00:11:12,760 --> 00:11:16,560 Speaker 1: difficult to achieve those to make sure you're covered in 188 00:11:16,559 --> 00:11:19,040 Speaker 1: those basic areas, and it shouldn't be that way. And 189 00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:23,000 Speaker 1: I really felt that that energy in the crowd, you know, 190 00:11:23,800 --> 00:11:25,840 Speaker 1: we're just fighting. We're fighting for our lives here. 191 00:11:26,160 --> 00:11:29,880 Speaker 2: Like figuratively and literally fighting for our lives right now. Yeah, 192 00:11:30,679 --> 00:11:33,760 Speaker 2: and notably, this is also this past weekend and this 193 00:11:33,800 --> 00:11:35,360 Speaker 2: coming weekend is Coachella weekend. 194 00:11:35,559 --> 00:11:37,320 Speaker 1: Yes it is, And that also kind. 195 00:11:37,160 --> 00:11:40,240 Speaker 2: Of felt like a backdrop of what was happening, and 196 00:11:40,280 --> 00:11:43,720 Speaker 2: that even the type of event this was because various 197 00:11:43,840 --> 00:11:47,839 Speaker 2: musicians performed at the rally, and I'm not gonna lie, 198 00:11:47,880 --> 00:11:51,920 Speaker 2: it kind of felt like Coachella light sure, but for politics. 199 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:52,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's political. 200 00:11:52,960 --> 00:11:56,760 Speaker 2: It's a political Coachella. And there were many performers. So 201 00:11:56,760 --> 00:11:59,640 Speaker 2: I want to name the performers that were there. Started 202 00:11:59,679 --> 00:12:05,000 Speaker 2: with a gospel choir called Rai's Gospel. The Red Pairs 203 00:12:05,440 --> 00:12:10,959 Speaker 2: Jeff Ross and Stock Indigo, This SUSA, Dirty Projectors, Joan Bias, 204 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:16,040 Speaker 2: Maggie Rogers, and Neil Young all performed heavy hitters. Yeah, 205 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:20,760 Speaker 2: lots of representation here. And Joan Bias made this comment 206 00:12:20,960 --> 00:12:24,320 Speaker 2: that she thought this was like a meaningful woodstock. That 207 00:12:24,440 --> 00:12:29,920 Speaker 2: was the energy that she was feeling, like say, my mom. 208 00:12:33,160 --> 00:12:33,199 Speaker 7: Was. 209 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:37,200 Speaker 2: And so I loved that example because for me and 210 00:12:37,280 --> 00:12:41,280 Speaker 2: of course my age and my like cultural nuance is 211 00:12:41,280 --> 00:12:44,160 Speaker 2: going to be Coachella, But for someone like Joan Bias, 212 00:12:44,200 --> 00:12:45,520 Speaker 2: it was like, no, it was like this is the 213 00:12:45,520 --> 00:12:46,520 Speaker 2: woodstock for us. 214 00:12:46,960 --> 00:12:51,480 Speaker 1: I love that for the activists, woodstock for activists and 215 00:12:51,520 --> 00:12:54,800 Speaker 1: for just regular people and families, Like there were children there. 216 00:12:54,840 --> 00:12:57,600 Speaker 2: There were children there, people of all ages. Yeah, and 217 00:12:57,720 --> 00:13:00,520 Speaker 2: people of all abilities. What's something that I thought was, 218 00:13:00,920 --> 00:13:03,040 Speaker 2: I haven't been to a rally like this in a 219 00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:06,679 Speaker 2: long time, and I think going as quote press also 220 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:08,560 Speaker 2: gave me access to see things that I may not 221 00:13:08,600 --> 00:13:10,480 Speaker 2: have been able to see if I was in the crowd. 222 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:13,600 Speaker 2: And one of the things was very early on there 223 00:13:13,600 --> 00:13:18,680 Speaker 2: were folks of all abilities that arrived, and if you 224 00:13:18,720 --> 00:13:22,560 Speaker 2: were disabled or needed special accommodations, you had your own entrance, 225 00:13:22,600 --> 00:13:25,480 Speaker 2: and there was also seating and there was shade, and 226 00:13:25,559 --> 00:13:28,079 Speaker 2: I thought that that was I hadn't seen that before 227 00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:30,080 Speaker 2: at a rally, at an event like this. That's not 228 00:13:30,080 --> 00:13:32,360 Speaker 2: to say that it doesn't happen or that organizers don't 229 00:13:32,360 --> 00:13:34,360 Speaker 2: do that, but it was my first time seeing that, 230 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:37,120 Speaker 2: and I thought that that was really important too, to 231 00:13:37,559 --> 00:13:42,320 Speaker 2: really let everyone be involved and invite everyone in and 232 00:13:42,520 --> 00:13:45,480 Speaker 2: just so like y'all can like maybe get more of 233 00:13:45,520 --> 00:13:47,920 Speaker 2: an insight into the energy. Is that I saw people 234 00:13:47,960 --> 00:13:51,920 Speaker 2: climbing over barricades to get closer, and I saw a 235 00:13:51,960 --> 00:13:56,120 Speaker 2: handful of people climbing a slide on the children's playground 236 00:13:56,240 --> 00:13:59,559 Speaker 2: to get a better view of the stage. And before 237 00:13:59,559 --> 00:14:04,880 Speaker 2: the quote political headliners arrived to the stage or entered 238 00:14:04,920 --> 00:14:08,880 Speaker 2: the stage, there was musical headliner Neil Young, and he 239 00:14:09,040 --> 00:14:12,520 Speaker 2: was singing take America Back, and people were chanting take 240 00:14:12,559 --> 00:14:33,280 Speaker 2: America Back Come, which big question mark because what does 241 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:35,200 Speaker 2: that mean? Sure, of course, of course, right, but I 242 00:14:35,440 --> 00:14:36,360 Speaker 2: see what they were doing. 243 00:14:36,560 --> 00:14:40,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, you know, this, of course is a you know, 244 00:14:41,200 --> 00:14:45,880 Speaker 1: it's the Dems. Yes, it's USA. It's literally USA, It's USA, 245 00:14:46,160 --> 00:14:49,440 Speaker 1: and so we we understand that too. And I do 246 00:14:49,560 --> 00:14:53,440 Speaker 1: think that it's pretty incredible. Like the way that they 247 00:14:53,480 --> 00:14:58,040 Speaker 1: even named this rally like fighting oligarchy. I haven't heard 248 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:02,040 Speaker 1: such a straight up yeah like rally title like that. 249 00:15:02,240 --> 00:15:05,480 Speaker 1: I feel like usually rallies in protests unless it's like 250 00:15:05,560 --> 00:15:09,160 Speaker 1: issue specific, right, like this is an immigration rally, this 251 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:11,920 Speaker 1: is about Gaza, this is about Palestine, this is about 252 00:15:12,440 --> 00:15:15,880 Speaker 1: sexual violence, this is about abortion, like issue specific, but 253 00:15:16,000 --> 00:15:20,280 Speaker 1: this is really specifically naming the enemy, so to speak, right, 254 00:15:20,640 --> 00:15:25,600 Speaker 1: and fighting fighting back and naming the enemy and oligarchy, 255 00:15:26,240 --> 00:15:30,200 Speaker 1: like putting that out there. Yeah, it's pretty incredible, it is. 256 00:15:30,160 --> 00:15:32,920 Speaker 2: Because that is not a word that I really use 257 00:15:33,080 --> 00:15:36,280 Speaker 2: in my day to day life. I understand what oligarchy 258 00:15:36,360 --> 00:15:39,120 Speaker 2: is as a concept, and I can see how we 259 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:42,360 Speaker 2: are becoming or already are an oligarchy, but it's not 260 00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:44,800 Speaker 2: a word that I generally use. So I feel like, 261 00:15:45,400 --> 00:15:47,560 Speaker 2: to your point, part of that is putting it in 262 00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:50,720 Speaker 2: the ether and putting it in everyday conversation so that 263 00:15:50,760 --> 00:15:52,720 Speaker 2: people understand what an oligarchy is. 264 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:53,440 Speaker 6: Yeah. 265 00:15:53,720 --> 00:15:58,760 Speaker 1: I was even like news coverage, right, like broadcast news 266 00:15:58,760 --> 00:16:04,240 Speaker 1: coverage to cover the rally. Now they have reporters anchors 267 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:08,680 Speaker 1: on air saying fighting oligarchy, right, even just saying it 268 00:16:08,720 --> 00:16:12,400 Speaker 1: on air, just reporting on it. Now everyone's hearing it. Yeah, 269 00:16:12,440 --> 00:16:16,720 Speaker 1: And I think it's really clever. It's very strategic. It's 270 00:16:16,720 --> 00:16:20,240 Speaker 1: smart the naming of the rally because it's like we're 271 00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:23,840 Speaker 1: putting the notion into people's ears. We're fighting and it's 272 00:16:23,880 --> 00:16:26,080 Speaker 1: an oligarchy. I don't know, there was just something when 273 00:16:26,080 --> 00:16:28,760 Speaker 1: I saw that on the news after having been there, 274 00:16:28,920 --> 00:16:31,080 Speaker 1: and then I saw this coverage Sunday the next day, 275 00:16:31,720 --> 00:16:34,840 Speaker 1: it just was like it just really stood out to me. 276 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:38,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, that's a really good point, because, yeah, 277 00:16:38,720 --> 00:16:45,000 Speaker 2: I'd like, how what better way to mobilize people than 278 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:49,440 Speaker 2: to really like get to the core of like class struggle. Yes, 279 00:16:49,520 --> 00:16:51,480 Speaker 2: you know, I think a lot of what I heard 280 00:16:51,560 --> 00:16:54,240 Speaker 2: on Saturday was like, how is it beer trying to 281 00:16:54,240 --> 00:16:57,640 Speaker 2: divide us by race, by gender, by ethnicity, by our 282 00:16:57,640 --> 00:17:02,000 Speaker 2: political differences. But we're like all struggling and we're all 283 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:05,080 Speaker 2: in this like class struggle, and that's what unites us. 284 00:17:05,119 --> 00:17:08,400 Speaker 2: And so I think like that's part of the strategy, right, 285 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:11,320 Speaker 2: like you mentioned, is like we're going to mobilize everyone 286 00:17:11,359 --> 00:17:13,920 Speaker 2: because we all have like one quote enemy and it's 287 00:17:13,920 --> 00:17:15,800 Speaker 2: the oligarchy, it's the billionaires. 288 00:17:16,040 --> 00:17:19,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, instead of a sort of a basic like, oh, 289 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:24,680 Speaker 1: rally for hope, rally for change, yeah, you know, which 290 00:17:24,720 --> 00:17:27,560 Speaker 1: is I think what we've heard from the Dems. Yeah, 291 00:17:28,119 --> 00:17:30,840 Speaker 1: for the past I don't know how many decades forever, 292 00:17:31,160 --> 00:17:33,840 Speaker 1: I think it's been very lukewarm. It's been very tepid, 293 00:17:33,960 --> 00:17:34,560 Speaker 1: very timid. 294 00:17:34,600 --> 00:17:37,199 Speaker 2: Even it's been timid, and I think that's been one 295 00:17:37,280 --> 00:17:39,480 Speaker 2: of the biggest critiques is like do more. 296 00:17:39,560 --> 00:17:40,240 Speaker 7: What are you doing? 297 00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:42,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, like do something? 298 00:17:42,400 --> 00:17:42,640 Speaker 6: Yeah. 299 00:17:42,760 --> 00:17:44,000 Speaker 1: So this feels like a shift. 300 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:44,600 Speaker 5: It does. 301 00:17:44,880 --> 00:17:47,879 Speaker 1: It's a language shift and an energy shift, and I 302 00:17:47,880 --> 00:17:51,840 Speaker 1: think maybe a strategy shift. And they're they're really going 303 00:17:51,880 --> 00:17:55,320 Speaker 1: for it. So I hope that continues, and I hope 304 00:17:55,320 --> 00:17:58,920 Speaker 1: that the people yeah follow suit, you know. 305 00:17:59,280 --> 00:18:02,800 Speaker 2: And I think that but that is what I'm hopeful about, 306 00:18:02,920 --> 00:18:07,840 Speaker 2: is that you know, AOC and Bernie are not our representatives, right, 307 00:18:08,280 --> 00:18:10,840 Speaker 2: but the changes that they are trying to make. What 308 00:18:10,880 --> 00:18:13,199 Speaker 2: I'm hopeful for is like, now all the people that 309 00:18:13,320 --> 00:18:15,879 Speaker 2: heard this, Yeah, because there was a live stream also 310 00:18:15,960 --> 00:18:19,400 Speaker 2: and you can go back and watch it on the website, 311 00:18:19,520 --> 00:18:23,480 Speaker 2: on YouTube. There's multiple news outlets that were streaming it completely. 312 00:18:23,960 --> 00:18:26,040 Speaker 2: So regardless of where you are, I feel like this 313 00:18:26,119 --> 00:18:28,919 Speaker 2: is now a model that you can take and like 314 00:18:29,040 --> 00:18:33,040 Speaker 2: actually make your representative and hold them accountable, put them, 315 00:18:33,119 --> 00:18:36,080 Speaker 2: take them to task, and have them like do the 316 00:18:36,160 --> 00:18:38,400 Speaker 2: things that you want them to do in the way 317 00:18:38,440 --> 00:18:40,879 Speaker 2: that AOC and Bernie Sanders are asking. 318 00:18:41,080 --> 00:18:41,600 Speaker 6: Yeah. 319 00:18:41,640 --> 00:18:42,200 Speaker 1: Absolutely. 320 00:18:42,440 --> 00:18:42,600 Speaker 4: Now. 321 00:18:42,640 --> 00:18:47,960 Speaker 1: Of course, the fighting Oligarchy tour has not been without 322 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:51,200 Speaker 1: its critiques. You know, there are folks of course, who 323 00:18:53,800 --> 00:18:56,560 Speaker 1: I mean. I think there's always going to be a 324 00:18:56,600 --> 00:18:59,240 Speaker 1: sort of school of thought that politicians are not can't 325 00:18:59,280 --> 00:19:01,919 Speaker 1: save us, and so anything that's coming from the Dems 326 00:19:02,000 --> 00:19:04,639 Speaker 1: at all is going to have is going to be 327 00:19:04,680 --> 00:19:07,359 Speaker 1: tainted in that way or is never going to be enough, 328 00:19:07,440 --> 00:19:10,760 Speaker 1: or it's never going to be the full breath of 329 00:19:10,760 --> 00:19:17,080 Speaker 1: what we need to establish a democracy. Truly, but I 330 00:19:17,119 --> 00:19:19,480 Speaker 1: think that if they're not doing this, then what are 331 00:19:19,480 --> 00:19:19,960 Speaker 1: they doing. 332 00:19:20,359 --> 00:19:22,000 Speaker 6: Don't go away. We'll be right back. 333 00:19:26,680 --> 00:19:30,600 Speaker 2: And we are back. So let's talk about the main 334 00:19:31,160 --> 00:19:32,560 Speaker 2: the headliners, if you will. 335 00:19:32,760 --> 00:19:35,439 Speaker 1: Yeah, the main event, the main event. Well, of course, 336 00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:41,080 Speaker 1: shout out to Congresswomen AOC. AOC was elected in twenty eighteen, 337 00:19:41,160 --> 00:19:44,160 Speaker 1: sworn into office in twenty nineteen, and represents New York's 338 00:19:44,200 --> 00:19:47,680 Speaker 1: fourteenth district. I can't believe it's been so long since 339 00:19:47,680 --> 00:19:51,280 Speaker 1: she got elected, I know. I mean her election was 340 00:19:51,320 --> 00:19:54,000 Speaker 1: like a big deal and it was top of mind, 341 00:19:54,119 --> 00:19:58,600 Speaker 1: and it was huge, and it's and here we are. 342 00:19:58,800 --> 00:19:59,000 Speaker 5: You know. 343 00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:00,879 Speaker 2: Yeah, she was a I feel like, one of the 344 00:20:00,920 --> 00:20:05,920 Speaker 2: first wave of young progressive women that ran for office 345 00:20:05,960 --> 00:20:12,120 Speaker 2: and didn't take corporate donors and ran a completely grassroots 346 00:20:12,119 --> 00:20:15,400 Speaker 2: campaign and then became part of the squad which includes 347 00:20:15,440 --> 00:20:20,800 Speaker 2: like other progressive representatives as well. And so yeah, she 348 00:20:20,880 --> 00:20:24,080 Speaker 2: has been I mean now she's been doing it for many. 349 00:20:23,960 --> 00:20:25,840 Speaker 1: Years or many years. She's not new anymore. 350 00:20:25,960 --> 00:20:29,199 Speaker 2: With lots of critique, oh yeah, lots of lots of 351 00:20:29,400 --> 00:20:31,119 Speaker 2: people have their issues. 352 00:20:30,880 --> 00:20:34,040 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, if you know, oh yeah, and it's the 353 00:20:34,119 --> 00:20:38,359 Speaker 1: critiques on AOC have range the type of range we 354 00:20:38,359 --> 00:20:42,320 Speaker 1: would expect for women in the public eye. So everything 355 00:20:42,400 --> 00:20:47,040 Speaker 1: from her policy and her work and what she's talking 356 00:20:47,119 --> 00:20:49,480 Speaker 1: about and what she's trying to get done in office. 357 00:20:49,680 --> 00:20:53,159 Speaker 1: Her politics. Of course there's critiques on her politics, but 358 00:20:53,160 --> 00:20:56,000 Speaker 1: then on the other side, there's always been like real 359 00:20:56,080 --> 00:20:57,760 Speaker 1: nasty critiques on her appearance. 360 00:20:58,119 --> 00:21:03,320 Speaker 2: Her appearance, she's been the center of a lot of misogyny, 361 00:21:04,680 --> 00:21:08,680 Speaker 2: deep fake images. She's gone through a lot of harassment 362 00:21:08,680 --> 00:21:09,600 Speaker 2: while being in office. 363 00:21:09,840 --> 00:21:13,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, and she's still fighting the fight. And when she 364 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:17,080 Speaker 1: addressed the audience, she pointed out ways that LA has 365 00:21:17,119 --> 00:21:20,560 Speaker 1: been showing up in the fight against fascism, and she 366 00:21:20,720 --> 00:21:23,680 Speaker 1: used this example, do have power. 367 00:21:23,480 --> 00:21:24,240 Speaker 4: In this moment? 368 00:21:24,840 --> 00:21:28,840 Speaker 3: All of us do, and everyday people do. In fact, 369 00:21:29,119 --> 00:21:30,720 Speaker 3: you all showed that this week. 370 00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:31,720 Speaker 4: LA. 371 00:21:31,840 --> 00:21:36,000 Speaker 3: A few days ago, ice officials attempted to enter two 372 00:21:36,400 --> 00:21:44,240 Speaker 3: la USD schools to target kids. They lied to school 373 00:21:44,280 --> 00:21:48,160 Speaker 3: officials and claimed that they had parents permission to get 374 00:21:48,200 --> 00:21:49,800 Speaker 3: to these children when they didn't. 375 00:21:53,200 --> 00:21:55,200 Speaker 7: But it wasn't just a lawyer or a. 376 00:21:55,240 --> 00:22:00,720 Speaker 3: Judge that said no. It started with everyday people, school 377 00:22:00,800 --> 00:22:05,160 Speaker 3: staff and employees who spoke up when I thought something 378 00:22:05,359 --> 00:22:09,320 Speaker 3: was off, And it was the teacher and principles that's 379 00:22:09,320 --> 00:22:13,720 Speaker 3: still strong and said no to protect their kids when. 380 00:22:13,600 --> 00:22:16,560 Speaker 7: It could have been easier to say yes, have a fear. 381 00:22:19,280 --> 00:22:23,960 Speaker 1: She gives various examples of the people groups who are 382 00:22:24,040 --> 00:22:29,000 Speaker 1: targeted under the Trump administration, and folks like Mahmood Khalil, 383 00:22:29,080 --> 00:22:32,120 Speaker 1: Palestinian activist who was detained in New York and sent 384 00:22:32,320 --> 00:22:35,400 Speaker 1: to a detention center in Louisiana. 385 00:22:35,640 --> 00:22:39,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, and Macmood Khalil has gained national attention because he 386 00:22:39,920 --> 00:22:44,240 Speaker 2: was one of the leaders at Columbia University during the 387 00:22:44,520 --> 00:22:50,159 Speaker 2: Gaza pro Palestinian encampments, and he's a Green card holder 388 00:22:50,200 --> 00:22:53,400 Speaker 2: as well. So the fact that he was detained has 389 00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:56,359 Speaker 2: really scared people because if it can happen to a 390 00:22:56,480 --> 00:23:00,560 Speaker 2: legal resident quote unquote, then it can happen to really anyone. 391 00:23:00,680 --> 00:23:04,760 Speaker 2: So people have been following this case very closely, and she, 392 00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:08,919 Speaker 2: you know, called upon his name and called on a 393 00:23:08,920 --> 00:23:11,560 Speaker 2: lot of the folks that have also been affected because 394 00:23:11,600 --> 00:23:12,560 Speaker 2: of the Trump administration. 395 00:23:13,119 --> 00:23:16,840 Speaker 3: The Trump administration admits that they have thrown my Mood 396 00:23:16,840 --> 00:23:21,280 Speaker 3: in a cell thousands of miles away because he attended 397 00:23:21,359 --> 00:23:25,760 Speaker 3: a protest and are detaining him for the content of 398 00:23:25,800 --> 00:23:32,800 Speaker 3: his speech and nothing more. In fact, in fact, followed 399 00:23:32,800 --> 00:23:36,720 Speaker 3: Trump's detention of someone like ma Mood Caglio for his 400 00:23:36,840 --> 00:23:44,119 Speaker 3: speech is anti American and we demand his release, along 401 00:23:44,160 --> 00:23:48,040 Speaker 3: with the release of Rumesa Oster, who is also killing 402 00:23:48,200 --> 00:23:50,479 Speaker 3: for writing an off ed in her school payer. 403 00:23:53,720 --> 00:23:57,280 Speaker 1: Here at USC, a ton of student visas have been 404 00:23:57,320 --> 00:24:03,080 Speaker 1: denied for current students. So it's not good and they're 405 00:24:03,320 --> 00:24:07,399 Speaker 1: taking real steps to do real harm. So back to 406 00:24:07,440 --> 00:24:12,000 Speaker 1: the rally. AOC also went into a definition of oligarchy 407 00:24:12,320 --> 00:24:13,959 Speaker 1: and define that for the crowd. 408 00:24:14,720 --> 00:24:19,240 Speaker 3: Donald Trump is not an aberration. He is the logical, 409 00:24:19,680 --> 00:24:25,200 Speaker 3: inevitable conclusion of an American political system dominated by corporate 410 00:24:25,400 --> 00:24:33,520 Speaker 3: and dark money. We aren't here to defeat him, we 411 00:24:33,600 --> 00:24:39,560 Speaker 3: must defeat the system that created him. Money in politics 412 00:24:40,080 --> 00:24:45,720 Speaker 3: is the hands of oligarchy. Los Angeles, and we are 413 00:24:45,760 --> 00:24:51,560 Speaker 3: at a crossroads. We can either have extreme wealth inequality 414 00:24:51,960 --> 00:24:57,200 Speaker 3: with a toxic division and corruption that it requires to survive, 415 00:24:58,200 --> 00:25:02,680 Speaker 3: or we can have a fan economy that guarantees healthcare 416 00:25:02,760 --> 00:25:07,639 Speaker 3: to all for working people, along with the democracy and 417 00:25:07,800 --> 00:25:17,040 Speaker 3: freedoms that uphold it. Oligarchy or democracy, but we cannot 418 00:25:17,280 --> 00:25:20,080 Speaker 3: have both, Los Angeles. 419 00:25:20,119 --> 00:25:24,760 Speaker 2: Additionally, AOC discusses the importance of voting at every level 420 00:25:24,960 --> 00:25:27,160 Speaker 2: and supporting democrats who actually fight. 421 00:25:28,240 --> 00:25:29,040 Speaker 1: I want you to. 422 00:25:29,040 --> 00:25:34,400 Speaker 3: Look at every level of office around and support Democrats 423 00:25:34,560 --> 00:25:38,520 Speaker 3: who actually fight, because those are the ones who can 424 00:25:38,600 --> 00:25:45,359 Speaker 3: actually defeat Republicans. Some folks, you know what that means. 425 00:25:46,400 --> 00:25:50,480 Speaker 3: We have to start working now to give David Valadeo, 426 00:25:50,760 --> 00:25:54,679 Speaker 3: young Kin, and Ken Calvert the boot and replace them 427 00:25:54,880 --> 00:25:58,360 Speaker 3: with a grallowing democrat you will stand for the working 428 00:25:58,440 --> 00:26:00,280 Speaker 3: people of California. 429 00:26:01,280 --> 00:26:03,959 Speaker 2: And I think going back to the critique that's been 430 00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:07,200 Speaker 2: the biggest critique that we've seen about this rally and 431 00:26:07,520 --> 00:26:11,800 Speaker 2: this tour that Bernie Sanders and AOC have been on, 432 00:26:12,400 --> 00:26:16,520 Speaker 2: that it's just funneling frustrated people back into the democratic establishment, 433 00:26:16,760 --> 00:26:19,960 Speaker 2: back into the machine, and not enough is being said 434 00:26:20,520 --> 00:26:24,320 Speaker 2: about dismantling it. And so when she talked about voting, 435 00:26:24,400 --> 00:26:26,480 Speaker 2: I just kind of had my ear perked and I 436 00:26:26,520 --> 00:26:29,160 Speaker 2: was like, Okay, let's see where this goes. And then 437 00:26:29,440 --> 00:26:30,440 Speaker 2: she said this. 438 00:26:31,359 --> 00:26:37,840 Speaker 3: But beyond elections, LA, our task is to build community 439 00:26:39,080 --> 00:26:47,479 Speaker 3: block associations, volunteer groups, church organizations, ptas, activist organizations, because 440 00:26:47,560 --> 00:26:51,960 Speaker 3: community is the most powerful building block. We have to 441 00:26:52,040 --> 00:26:58,440 Speaker 3: defeat authoritarianism and root out corruption. This is the path 442 00:26:59,040 --> 00:27:03,760 Speaker 3: to guarantee health care to every American, to establish a 443 00:27:03,840 --> 00:27:09,120 Speaker 3: living minimum wage, to take on skyrocketing rents and mortgages 444 00:27:09,520 --> 00:27:13,560 Speaker 3: to tackle the climate crisis and establish a country where 445 00:27:13,600 --> 00:27:18,000 Speaker 3: the American dream is actually possible for all of us. 446 00:27:22,240 --> 00:27:26,359 Speaker 3: I hope you see that this movement is not about 447 00:27:26,480 --> 00:27:32,720 Speaker 3: partisan label or purity tests, but it's about class solidarity. 448 00:27:35,119 --> 00:27:38,440 Speaker 3: It is about the thousands of you who came out 449 00:27:38,480 --> 00:27:42,480 Speaker 3: here today to stand together and say, our lives deserve 450 00:27:42,600 --> 00:27:49,600 Speaker 3: dignity and our work deserves respect, no matter who we are. 451 00:27:49,960 --> 00:27:52,520 Speaker 1: So then came the point in the rally where AOC 452 00:27:53,000 --> 00:27:55,000 Speaker 1: introduced Senator Bernie Sanders. 453 00:27:55,400 --> 00:28:00,920 Speaker 3: Thank you so much, Los Angeles. And it is my 454 00:28:01,400 --> 00:28:07,280 Speaker 3: harm here today to introduce someone who has dedicated his 455 00:28:07,520 --> 00:28:14,800 Speaker 3: life to bringing us together. So let's get loud and 456 00:28:14,960 --> 00:28:23,400 Speaker 3: let's be grateful because Senator Bernie Sanders. 457 00:28:21,000 --> 00:28:24,720 Speaker 1: And you could literally feel and hear the electricity coursing 458 00:28:24,760 --> 00:28:25,399 Speaker 1: through the crowd. 459 00:28:26,680 --> 00:28:28,400 Speaker 6: AA to the. 460 00:28:30,880 --> 00:28:48,080 Speaker 1: PA PA, the gospel choir saying power to the people, 461 00:28:49,040 --> 00:28:52,400 Speaker 1: and Senator Sanders cross the stage wearing an LA hat. 462 00:28:52,520 --> 00:28:55,680 Speaker 1: By the way, as soon as he starts speaking, the 463 00:28:55,800 --> 00:28:58,440 Speaker 1: crowd begins to chant, there are. 464 00:28:58,360 --> 00:29:06,640 Speaker 7: People are half a bottle. Let me. 465 00:29:11,440 --> 00:29:17,920 Speaker 6: No, it's not burning, it is you. 466 00:29:21,320 --> 00:29:25,000 Speaker 2: Senator Sanders makes this really beautiful statement about joy, and 467 00:29:25,040 --> 00:29:28,560 Speaker 2: I thought that that was also really central to the event. 468 00:29:29,800 --> 00:29:32,600 Speaker 7: And you know why we had all of these great 469 00:29:32,680 --> 00:29:36,440 Speaker 7: decisions here that it's not just to entertain you. It's 470 00:29:36,480 --> 00:29:43,480 Speaker 7: more than that. We're gonna make our revolution with joy. 471 00:29:44,760 --> 00:29:50,800 Speaker 7: Where gonna sing and dance our way to victory against hatred. 472 00:29:50,720 --> 00:29:51,560 Speaker 3: And the visitors. 473 00:29:55,680 --> 00:29:59,640 Speaker 2: Before Senator Sanders gets into his speech, he acknowledges everyone 474 00:29:59,680 --> 00:30:03,760 Speaker 2: who participated, from the musicians to the elected officials, to 475 00:30:04,160 --> 00:30:07,840 Speaker 2: the labor unions, let me thank. 476 00:30:08,040 --> 00:30:11,640 Speaker 7: Our brothers and sisters in the trade union movement for 477 00:30:11,800 --> 00:30:17,840 Speaker 7: being here. Let me thank you night here layouna Local 478 00:30:17,960 --> 00:30:18,960 Speaker 7: seven four. 479 00:30:21,840 --> 00:30:24,520 Speaker 1: It was clear that unions were central to the rally 480 00:30:24,800 --> 00:30:29,200 Speaker 1: because Senator Sanders openly discussed how the Democratic Party has 481 00:30:29,280 --> 00:30:33,080 Speaker 1: lost its way with working class people and the class 482 00:30:33,120 --> 00:30:37,360 Speaker 1: solidarity and worker solidarity was a through line throughout the rally. 483 00:30:39,320 --> 00:30:44,040 Speaker 7: Know Californi your labor fem rachid hey ul. 484 00:30:48,880 --> 00:30:53,360 Speaker 2: Senator Sanders reminds everyone why we are here today. 485 00:30:54,000 --> 00:31:01,760 Speaker 7: We are living in a moment of extraordinary and how 486 00:31:01,880 --> 00:31:08,200 Speaker 7: we respond to this moment will not only impact our lives, 487 00:31:09,360 --> 00:31:15,680 Speaker 7: but will impact the lives of our kids and future generations. 488 00:31:15,800 --> 00:31:21,160 Speaker 7: And in terms of the climate. It will depend We 489 00:31:21,400 --> 00:31:25,720 Speaker 7: can depend on whether or not the planet Earth survives. 490 00:31:25,800 --> 00:31:27,240 Speaker 7: That's why we're here today. 491 00:31:27,520 --> 00:31:30,800 Speaker 2: She lays out the current political moment, and what's that state. 492 00:31:31,000 --> 00:31:37,960 Speaker 7: Moment where a handful of billionaires control the economic and 493 00:31:38,040 --> 00:31:43,479 Speaker 7: political life of our country. We're living in a moment 494 00:31:44,440 --> 00:31:49,640 Speaker 7: with a president who has no understanding or respect for 495 00:31:49,760 --> 00:31:57,120 Speaker 7: the Constitution of the United States, and let us thinke 496 00:31:57,320 --> 00:32:02,840 Speaker 7: no doubt about it, moving us rightly taught in authoritarian 497 00:32:03,360 --> 00:32:11,600 Speaker 7: form of society, and mister Trump, we ain't going there. 498 00:32:15,160 --> 00:32:19,120 Speaker 2: Senator Sanders is, of course addressing the crowd, but in 499 00:32:19,160 --> 00:32:24,840 Speaker 2: some ways he's also directly speaking to Donald Trump of. 500 00:32:24,880 --> 00:32:31,680 Speaker 7: The individual obeying Trump's every wish and at a time 501 00:32:31,880 --> 00:32:37,360 Speaker 7: of massive income and wealth inequality. Right now, as we speak, 502 00:32:37,800 --> 00:32:40,920 Speaker 7: they are plotting about how they can give one point 503 00:32:41,000 --> 00:32:46,120 Speaker 7: one trillion in tax ranks one percent and devastate programs 504 00:32:46,360 --> 00:32:47,680 Speaker 7: networking family state. 505 00:32:50,200 --> 00:32:55,080 Speaker 2: Senator Sanders also says, we're not just fighting oligarchy, but 506 00:32:55,160 --> 00:32:59,400 Speaker 2: we're fighting a president who doesn't respect constitutional laws. 507 00:33:00,560 --> 00:33:04,080 Speaker 7: We are fighting. We're fighting a president who on the 508 00:33:04,160 --> 00:33:08,760 Speaker 7: minds our constitution every day and threatens our freedom of 509 00:33:08,800 --> 00:33:13,720 Speaker 7: speech and assembly, and whose agents are rounding off innocent 510 00:33:13,880 --> 00:33:18,520 Speaker 7: people off the streets, putting them in unmarked fans and 511 00:33:18,680 --> 00:33:26,480 Speaker 7: throwing them in the tension sentence. That is what happens 512 00:33:26,520 --> 00:33:33,640 Speaker 7: in dictatorships, not democracies. And we're gonna stop that outrageous 513 00:33:33,680 --> 00:33:34,920 Speaker 7: action on the part of. 514 00:33:34,880 --> 00:33:40,920 Speaker 2: The SID Going back to Israel and Palestine, which again 515 00:33:40,960 --> 00:33:45,840 Speaker 2: I feel like is the the litmus tests right and 516 00:33:45,880 --> 00:33:49,040 Speaker 2: it's like where the pulse is right now, And there 517 00:33:49,040 --> 00:33:51,720 Speaker 2: were a lot of people in the crowds wearing like cuffias. 518 00:33:52,360 --> 00:33:56,560 Speaker 2: I saw many Palestinian flags. Senator Sanders made the statement 519 00:33:56,600 --> 00:33:59,200 Speaker 2: about how Israel has a right to defend itself. 520 00:34:00,120 --> 00:34:05,720 Speaker 7: Eight million war dollars to go to nepting Yahoo's war machines. 521 00:34:11,440 --> 00:34:15,279 Speaker 7: Israel has the right to defend itself against heroism, but 522 00:34:15,719 --> 00:34:18,520 Speaker 7: it does not have a right to go to war 523 00:34:19,080 --> 00:34:29,440 Speaker 7: against the entire Palestinian people. It does not have the 524 00:34:29,560 --> 00:34:34,320 Speaker 7: right to count fifty thousand people injure over one hundred 525 00:34:34,360 --> 00:34:40,960 Speaker 7: thousand and destroy the entire infrastructure. And as bad as 526 00:34:41,120 --> 00:34:46,520 Speaker 7: that is, as bad as that is, Trump wants to 527 00:34:46,719 --> 00:34:51,239 Speaker 7: expel the two point two million people in Gaza in 528 00:34:51,520 --> 00:35:00,360 Speaker 7: order to create a playground for his billion half friends. 529 00:35:00,560 --> 00:35:05,840 Speaker 7: That is beyond insane and we won't. 530 00:35:05,960 --> 00:35:11,080 Speaker 2: And I feel like he was meeting the crowd where 531 00:35:11,080 --> 00:35:13,560 Speaker 2: they were at, like he knew, he knew what what 532 00:35:13,600 --> 00:35:14,239 Speaker 2: had to be said. 533 00:35:14,480 --> 00:35:24,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, I appreciate that from him. I think that he's 534 00:35:24,080 --> 00:35:28,480 Speaker 1: in a position where he probably can't and probably wouldn't 535 00:35:28,840 --> 00:35:35,200 Speaker 1: completely disavow Israel as a nation state and as a 536 00:35:35,239 --> 00:35:38,120 Speaker 1: global power in a lot of ways, He's just not 537 00:35:38,239 --> 00:35:43,640 Speaker 1: going to, you know, but at least he acknowledged the murder, 538 00:35:44,800 --> 00:35:46,520 Speaker 1: the genocide. 539 00:35:45,840 --> 00:35:49,040 Speaker 2: And I think that it's one of those issues where 540 00:35:49,440 --> 00:35:51,719 Speaker 2: in the critiques that I've seen online is you know, 541 00:35:52,239 --> 00:35:56,920 Speaker 2: calling this like a Zionist gathering, right, or the Zionist Democrats. 542 00:35:57,680 --> 00:36:00,640 Speaker 2: And while there may be a case for that, right, 543 00:36:00,760 --> 00:36:04,399 Speaker 2: there's also so much mobilizing that's happening and so many 544 00:36:04,440 --> 00:36:06,960 Speaker 2: issues that are being discussed, and I think to completely 545 00:36:07,120 --> 00:36:08,680 Speaker 2: like cut them off. 546 00:36:09,880 --> 00:36:12,359 Speaker 1: I mean, it's my question is like, if not them, 547 00:36:12,440 --> 00:36:16,040 Speaker 1: then who, yes, show me the names of the alternatives 548 00:36:16,200 --> 00:36:19,239 Speaker 1: who are doing it better and who can actually get 549 00:36:19,280 --> 00:36:24,160 Speaker 1: something done right, not just verbalizing the politics and the 550 00:36:24,200 --> 00:36:27,080 Speaker 1: exact way you want to hear it exactly, but who 551 00:36:27,160 --> 00:36:29,960 Speaker 1: actually has the power and the influence and isn't in 552 00:36:30,000 --> 00:36:33,960 Speaker 1: a position to impact policy and the quality of life 553 00:36:34,040 --> 00:36:36,399 Speaker 1: for people in the United States. Absolutely not just talk 554 00:36:36,440 --> 00:36:38,120 Speaker 1: about it, you like the way I talk about it, 555 00:36:38,360 --> 00:36:41,880 Speaker 1: but I can't actually do anything about it exactly. So 556 00:36:41,920 --> 00:36:44,359 Speaker 1: who cares, you know, in a way, who cares? If 557 00:36:44,400 --> 00:36:48,480 Speaker 1: you like, like the exact politic to the t, if 558 00:36:48,520 --> 00:36:50,920 Speaker 1: there's no power behind it, there's no movement behind it. 559 00:36:51,000 --> 00:36:52,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, And I think that's kind of what God is 560 00:36:52,680 --> 00:36:54,680 Speaker 2: here is like, if you didn't say it correctly, if 561 00:36:54,680 --> 00:36:56,799 Speaker 2: you didn't say it the way someone wanted you to 562 00:36:56,840 --> 00:36:59,680 Speaker 2: say it, then you know, we're going to completely shut 563 00:36:59,719 --> 00:37:01,520 Speaker 2: you out. What you have to say is no longer 564 00:37:01,520 --> 00:37:04,440 Speaker 2: important to us. And I think that that's part of 565 00:37:04,480 --> 00:37:06,360 Speaker 2: the problem. And I think that this was part of 566 00:37:06,360 --> 00:37:09,400 Speaker 2: the solution absolutely this rally at least. 567 00:37:09,480 --> 00:37:09,760 Speaker 5: Yeah. 568 00:37:09,920 --> 00:37:14,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, And I think that the crowd was right there, 569 00:37:14,280 --> 00:37:16,480 Speaker 1: you know, all these people. There were thirty six thousand 570 00:37:16,480 --> 00:37:20,480 Speaker 1: people in attendance. Was I spoke with a few of 571 00:37:20,560 --> 00:37:23,520 Speaker 1: the folks in the crowd at the rally in the 572 00:37:23,560 --> 00:37:27,560 Speaker 1: overflow section at a point when I arrived, I was 573 00:37:27,680 --> 00:37:31,279 Speaker 1: checking in at the press entrance, and they told me 574 00:37:31,320 --> 00:37:34,720 Speaker 1: that per the fire Marshal's orders, they were not allowing 575 00:37:34,800 --> 00:37:37,839 Speaker 1: anybody in because they were already like two hundred and 576 00:37:37,840 --> 00:37:41,520 Speaker 1: fifty people over capacity, and so they just had to 577 00:37:41,640 --> 00:37:44,359 Speaker 1: funnel everybody to the overflow, which was fine because I 578 00:37:44,440 --> 00:37:48,520 Speaker 1: ended up getting to know some of the motivating factors 579 00:37:48,840 --> 00:37:51,520 Speaker 1: why people wanted to go to that rally, and what 580 00:37:51,680 --> 00:37:55,080 Speaker 1: struck me was how passionate everybody was. There was a 581 00:37:55,120 --> 00:37:57,360 Speaker 1: small group of friends, a group of three people that 582 00:37:57,440 --> 00:38:00,640 Speaker 1: I approached, and each one of them, after they finished 583 00:38:01,080 --> 00:38:05,319 Speaker 1: their interview with me, they were like almost like they 584 00:38:05,320 --> 00:38:10,200 Speaker 1: had chills, they were shaking. They were so energetic about 585 00:38:10,239 --> 00:38:12,560 Speaker 1: what they were talking about, so passionate and so angry 586 00:38:13,400 --> 00:38:17,880 Speaker 1: and at the same time just so excited to be 587 00:38:17,960 --> 00:38:22,239 Speaker 1: there because it gave them a sense of action, you know, 588 00:38:22,320 --> 00:38:24,839 Speaker 1: And so that was palpable. Hi. 589 00:38:25,040 --> 00:38:29,279 Speaker 5: My name is Rosie, and what brought me here today is, well, 590 00:38:29,320 --> 00:38:33,239 Speaker 5: I'm a teacher, so the future I'm I'm motivated by 591 00:38:33,239 --> 00:38:37,040 Speaker 5: the future, so my students and my children, and also 592 00:38:37,160 --> 00:38:39,520 Speaker 5: I guess monivated by the past, which is my mom, 593 00:38:39,600 --> 00:38:45,080 Speaker 5: who she really has her anger out and I'm angry too, 594 00:38:45,320 --> 00:38:48,000 Speaker 5: but I kind of tried to not show it as 595 00:38:48,040 --> 00:38:49,120 Speaker 5: much as she is. 596 00:38:49,160 --> 00:39:00,640 Speaker 8: She's AOC said, community is the most powerful weapon we 597 00:39:00,760 --> 00:39:06,520 Speaker 8: have and we've needed this. We need to be in community. 598 00:39:07,160 --> 00:39:11,800 Speaker 8: We need to be around people, despite party, despite personal beliefs, 599 00:39:11,840 --> 00:39:16,680 Speaker 8: despite religion, despite all aspects. The fact that this many 600 00:39:16,719 --> 00:39:22,279 Speaker 8: people can come together to fight the oligarchy, community does 601 00:39:22,320 --> 00:39:23,720 Speaker 8: that community is powered. 602 00:39:26,719 --> 00:39:30,160 Speaker 9: What brought me out today was on the poster it 603 00:39:30,280 --> 00:39:32,800 Speaker 9: said where do we go from here? And that's a 604 00:39:32,880 --> 00:39:36,279 Speaker 9: question I've been asking myself since the election, and this 605 00:39:36,440 --> 00:39:39,080 Speaker 9: was an answer. There was some sort of relief, some 606 00:39:39,239 --> 00:39:43,399 Speaker 9: sort of fight that we haven't seen before. And as 607 00:39:43,400 --> 00:39:47,239 Speaker 9: Bernie said, thirty six thousand people participated in it. And 608 00:39:47,280 --> 00:39:50,399 Speaker 9: there's just a feeling that you can't get on social media. 609 00:39:50,440 --> 00:39:53,080 Speaker 9: You can't get when you're on your device, so you 610 00:39:53,239 --> 00:39:55,400 Speaker 9: start to feel helpless. But when you're in a crowd 611 00:39:55,400 --> 00:40:00,160 Speaker 9: of this size, with people chanting the things that are 612 00:40:00,280 --> 00:40:04,080 Speaker 9: really meaningful to America right now, you can't help but 613 00:40:04,120 --> 00:40:06,400 Speaker 9: feel inspired. And I think that's what I leave here today, 614 00:40:06,480 --> 00:40:10,479 Speaker 9: feeling is a piece of energy going into a fight 615 00:40:10,640 --> 00:40:13,000 Speaker 9: that we have to. We know it's going to be long, 616 00:40:13,040 --> 00:40:15,319 Speaker 9: we know it's going to be hard, but at least 617 00:40:15,320 --> 00:40:17,160 Speaker 9: there's a fight in anlaces there. 618 00:40:17,840 --> 00:40:18,239 Speaker 6: Thank you. 619 00:40:20,440 --> 00:40:23,839 Speaker 2: Regardless of where you are on the political spectrum. This 620 00:40:24,040 --> 00:40:29,160 Speaker 2: rally energized people and gave people hope. I hear from 621 00:40:29,280 --> 00:40:33,320 Speaker 2: so many friends of mine, family members, and just people 622 00:40:33,320 --> 00:40:36,920 Speaker 2: that I know that they feel helpless and they have 623 00:40:37,040 --> 00:40:41,839 Speaker 2: all this pent up rage, fury, big emotions and that 624 00:40:41,880 --> 00:40:45,080 Speaker 2: cannot stay in your body. That has to be channeled somewhere. 625 00:40:45,440 --> 00:40:48,320 Speaker 2: And I think this rally allowed people to feel seen, 626 00:40:49,040 --> 00:40:51,520 Speaker 2: to feel heard, and to know that they're not alone. 627 00:40:51,640 --> 00:40:55,520 Speaker 2: They were one of thirty six thousand people, the biggest 628 00:40:55,560 --> 00:41:01,200 Speaker 2: Bernie and AOC rally to date. So just as a reminder, 629 00:41:01,400 --> 00:41:06,040 Speaker 2: connect with your local grassroots organizations wherever you are. If 630 00:41:06,080 --> 00:41:10,040 Speaker 2: you're in California, there's the California Working Families Party. That's 631 00:41:10,080 --> 00:41:13,520 Speaker 2: one place you can start. But the Working Families Party 632 00:41:13,600 --> 00:41:17,160 Speaker 2: is also a national organization, so you can get involved 633 00:41:17,160 --> 00:41:21,280 Speaker 2: wherever you are. The California chapter co organize this rally 634 00:41:21,360 --> 00:41:23,840 Speaker 2: and it's one step you can take to get more involved. 635 00:41:24,280 --> 00:41:29,000 Speaker 2: There's also other organizations like Mihinte, La Defensa and Delon. 636 00:41:30,080 --> 00:41:34,320 Speaker 2: Go to your local grassroots organizations, go to your local 637 00:41:34,320 --> 00:41:38,239 Speaker 2: community centers, just organize your friends, like get connected. 638 00:41:38,760 --> 00:41:42,120 Speaker 1: There's a lot that people can do here at Loka 639 00:41:42,200 --> 00:41:44,720 Speaker 1: Thought our radio over the years, we've also talked about 640 00:41:45,000 --> 00:41:50,719 Speaker 1: your direct circle of influence, your family, your neighborhood, your school, community, 641 00:41:51,239 --> 00:41:53,239 Speaker 1: and those tend to be the places where we have 642 00:41:53,320 --> 00:41:56,040 Speaker 1: the most influence and the most impact and the greatest 643 00:41:56,040 --> 00:42:01,240 Speaker 1: opportunity to make change and to educate. If you can't 644 00:42:01,440 --> 00:42:04,600 Speaker 1: change minds you know in your own family or your 645 00:42:04,640 --> 00:42:07,400 Speaker 1: own friends, how do we how do we impact the 646 00:42:07,440 --> 00:42:10,640 Speaker 1: world on a larger scale. We we start small a 647 00:42:10,640 --> 00:42:12,960 Speaker 1: lot of the time, so I think if you don't 648 00:42:13,320 --> 00:42:15,880 Speaker 1: know where to start, start with the people closest to you. 649 00:42:18,400 --> 00:42:32,359 Speaker 2: A thank you for listening to another episode of look 650 00:42:32,400 --> 00:42:36,080 Speaker 2: At Radio. This was a first of its kind, so 651 00:42:36,120 --> 00:42:37,960 Speaker 2: we hope you enjoyed it. Let us know what you 652 00:42:38,040 --> 00:42:40,960 Speaker 2: think and we will catch you next time I see it. 653 00:42:41,080 --> 00:43:08,120 Speaker 7: Thus, look At on AM Radio, Look Alumnia