U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) brought his nationwide “Fighting Oligarchy” tour to Harrisburg on May 2, delivering a speech that attacked corporate influence on politics and called for working class solidarity.
The rally, held in the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex, drew a huge crowd from across South Central Pennsylvania. It was one stop in a multi-day swing through Pennsylvania, with Sanders stopping in Philadelphia the night before and Bethlehem on Saturday.
Sanders spoke to a packed crowd shortly after 6 p.m., following performances from indie musicians Alex G and Marissa Paternoster of Screaming Females.
He was joined by U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-17) from western Pennsylvania who has aligned himself with organized labor and Sanders’ populist messaging.
"We will not accept a government of the billionaire class, by the billionaire class, for the billionaire class," Sanders said.
He criticized proposals from congressional Republicans to cut federal spending on healthcare, nutrition assistance and education while preserving tax breaks for the wealthy.
Sanders’ attacks were also directed at Elon Musk. “Mr. Musk himself contributed $270 million to get Trump elected, and then for his reward, he becomes the most powerful person in government,” Sanders said.
Sanders’ anger was not exclusive to Republicans either. He spoke about the Democratic Party’s failure to stand up to Trump’s shift to authoritarianism. “Our job right now is to demand and make certain that the agenda of the Democratic Party is the agenda of the working class of this country,” Sanders said.
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