During a rally in Las Vegas on Thursday, March 20, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called for a more proactive Democratic Party that fights harder for the working class. She emphasized the importance of choosing and voting for elected officials who prioritize the needs of the community. Ocasio-Cortez’s remarks were made in the context of increasing tensions within the party regarding strategies to counter President Donald Trump.
Joining Sen. Bernie Sanders on his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, Ocasio-Cortez criticized Trump for what she described as selling the country to the wealthiest individuals in exchange for campaign support. Sanders echoed this sentiment by highlighting the greed of the wealthiest Americans and their detrimental impact on social programs like Medicaid and Social Security.
The rally aimed to harness the growing frustration among Democrats towards party leadership, particularly in the Senate, following disputes over government funding. There has been vocal criticism of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for his role in passing a Trump-supported spending bill.
Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez sought to tap into this discontent and mobilize supporters to push for a more populist approach within the Democratic Party. Their efforts included in-person events and direct-to-camera videos to engage with voters on critical issues, rather than focusing solely on social media trends.
At the rally in North Las Vegas, attendees expressed concerns about potential cuts to government services, such as Medicaid, which could have serious consequences for individuals like Stacy Short’s son, who relies on the program for expensive medical treatments.
Overall, the event highlighted a growing demand for a more assertive and progressive Democratic Party that advocates for the needs of the working class and stands up against the Trump administration’s policies.
“Being arrested is a powerful act,” she stated. “Although I wasn’t there, it brings to mind the civil rights movement of the 1960s. I’m wondering, who is today’s MLK? Who is bravely being arrested in the streets? Who is standing firm and declaring, ‘No, I will not move because you do not belong here. Because your presence is not necessary.’ Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez will be heading to Tempe, Arizona, followed by visits to Denver and Greeley, Colorado, and Tucson, Arizona. For more CNN updates and newsletters, sign up at CNN.com.”
