Day 3: Bernie Rally in Milford, NH

MILFORD, NH -

     We are volunteering at the rally! I was assigned to the ADA section. First, we set up chairs and places signs up. As the doors opened, I headed to the front to hand out blue and white Bernie signs and assist people to seats if they needed them. Seeing the amount of people from all different walks of life was inspiring. Bernie 2020 really is a movement, not just a campaign. It came out just before the rally that Pete Buttigieg 'won' the Iowa caucus. There should be a re-count or a re-do. Regardless of who actually one, caucuses are anti-democratic, this app was a joke, and the media-momentum bump that Pete or Bernie would have got out of Iowa is over. The one thing that we all know for certain now is the NH primary has become even more important. First sign? The media have descended on this rally in hopes of getting Bernie's first reaction to the Iowa news.

     Once the rally starts I head inside. First, we hear from NH Democratic candidate for Governor Andru Zelinsky. Next, activist Shaun King. Finally, the man himself: Senator Bernard Sanders!!

     It was a speech I had heard before, but never in person. It was powerful. A man sitting next to where I was standing (and screaming!) told me he was there because of Medicare For All. It really feels like this time is different. I am energized and hopeful that the future can be more than a constant reaction to crises and worsening institutional failure. Perhaps, we will choose to make the turn to social democracy in time to save ourselves.

Comments

Popular Posts