Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez Rally in L.A. Against Income Inequality

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will host a campaign-style rally this Saturday at Gloria Molina Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles. The event, titled “Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here,” aims to address escalating income inequality and the influence of wealthy individuals on government policies initiated during President Donald Trump’s administration.

The rally kicks off at 9:00 a.m., featuring musical performances from artists such as Neil Young, Maggie Rogers, and Joan Baez. The program will include speakers who will address key issues starting at 1:00 p.m., with doors opening to attendees earlier in the morning.

“Over the next few weeks, I’ll be hitting the road to engage in honest conversations across America about how we can confront the oligarchs and corporate interests wielding excessive power in our society,” Sanders stated in a recent press release. He emphasized the urgency of organizing grassroots movements to push back against the influence of wealthy individuals in politics.

Following the Los Angeles event, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez will travel to Salt Lake City, Utah, for another rally on Sunday. Their tour will take them to Republican-held districts in Idaho and Montana next week, as they continue to rally support ahead of the 2026 midterms and future presidential elections.

Political experts view the Los Angeles rally as a strategic move for the two progressive leaders. Michael Trujillo, a Democratic strategist based in Los Angeles, noted that the city offers a significant base of support, having backed Sanders in both the 2016 and 2020 Democratic primaries. “The tour is about energizing the base and building a voter outreach list for future elections,” Trujillo explained.

Sanders, who is now 83 years old, has garnered significant crowds, often numbering in the thousands, at his events. The L.A. rally is expected to attract a substantial turnout despite competing events in the area, such as the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach and the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival.

Throughout their tour, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have voiced strong critiques of the Trump administration’s budget cuts that impact social programs, including Medicare and Social Security. In a statement, Sanders articulated the necessity of resisting the influence of billionaires in the political sphere, insisting that Americans across the political spectrum do not support such monopolized power. “The American people do not want billionaires dictating our politics or purchasing elections,” he asserted.

As they embark on this campaign, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez aim not only to motivate their base but also to energize a broader discussion on economic justice and representation. Their ability to draw crowds in progressive strongholds like Los Angeles serves as a bellwether for their influence in the evolving political landscape.

In response to mounting challenges, the duo continues to harness the significant support they receive in urban centers, where progressive policies resonate strongly among voters. Their upcoming events are designed to mobilize supporters to strengthen their movement against the perceived threats posed by corporate interests and increasing income inequality.

The rally will conclude with a call to action for attendees to engage in the political process and advocate for changes that benefit working families. The event emphasizes community, activism, and the collective power of citizens to reshape the democratic landscape.