On Saturday, the culmination of the Singing Revolution’s “Fighting Oligarchy” national tour, thousands lined Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. This briefing was coordinated by Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The event was hosted at the Gloria Molina Grand Park and brought an estimated 36,000 people. They came together to take on what they viewed as the detrimental power of billionaires and corporations over our politics under President Donald Trump.
The rally is part of a growing movement resisting the Trump administration’s attempts to roll back the social safety net. Organizers pointed to the tax cuts for wealthy Americans as one of the most egregious acts of the bill. The atmosphere was charged as speakers addressed these issues, suggesting that such policies are behind the increasing economic inequality in the country.
In workshops and discussions, attendees shared their fears and worries about the current political climate. David Rasmussen, who attended the rally, stated, “We’ve all got to rise up together, fight it, push it back, make something else happen because this cannot go on.” His feelings echoed the thoughts of most participants. In many cases, they said they felt like they had “buyer’s remorse” voting for Trump in the November presidential election.
The state tour aims to reach voters in Idaho, Utah, and Montana. These areas and regions are where the extreme impact of Trump’s policies can be found. As the whole spectacle continued, in came Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez. Most importantly, they all stressed the critical importance of fighting back against the growing power of the one percent to buy our policy decisions.
“We are living in a moment where a handful of billionaires control the economic and political life of our country.” – Bernie Sanders
Performances by musicians like Neil Young and Joan Baez helped energize the rally. Their songs beautifully amplified the event’s message. The combination of political discourse and music created a platform for voices that often feel marginalized in today’s political arena.
The combination of politicians and infectious high-profile musicians was meant to excite and mobilize the often young attendees at the rally. Ocasio-Cortez pointed out the devastating effects of Trump’s economic policies: “It was about hurting retirees and everyday people in the [stock] selloff, so Trump could quietly enrich his friends who he nudged to buy [in] the dip before reversing it all the next morning.”
As the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour continues across the nation, it has reportedly made Trump and his tech billionaire ally Elon Musk “very nervous.” The mobilization reflects a significant moment in American politics as citizens increasingly rally against what they perceive as corrupt practices influencing their lives.
