Rocking for Justice: Inside Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s LA Rally

On that sunny Saturday in Los Angeles, you had two choices: head out to Coachella – a festival for the wealthy organized by a Trump-supporting billionaire – or stay in the city to listen to two political rock stars for free: Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Fortunately for those who opted for the latter, the event turned out to be a memorable experience. Even those who chose Coachella got a taste of Bernie’s rhetoric, as he was invited on stage by Clairo and received a warm welcome from the audience, as seen in videos circulating online. Meanwhile, those at the rally enjoyed a hefty dose of music, thanks to performances by legends Joan Baez and Neil Young, with country pop singer Maggie Rogers declaring to the nearly 40,000 attendees, “Welcome to Berniechella.”

“We will have our revolution joyfully!” exclaimed Senator Sanders, highlighting the inclusion of artists in his “Fighting Oligarchy Tour.” “We will sing and dance our way to victory over hatred and division.” And indeed, it was a joyful occasion. Many attendees expressed how uplifting it was to gather in front of Los Angeles City Hall, sharing the energy of being united for a common cause and a desire for a different kind of politics.

“We’re Tired of Democratic Party’s Inaction”

“I regain hope by coming here,” said Rodrigo, a fifty-year-old worker attending his first political rally. “I see that I am not alone in my anger, and there are a few elected officials in Washington who are actively working rather than just sitting around waiting for the next election, hoping to get my vote by default. We’re tired of the Democratic Party’s inaction,” he added, frustrated. A long-time Democratic voter, Rodrigo nearly stayed home during the last election, unimpressed by Kamala Harris’s agenda. “I did it only for my daughter. Indeed, it makes a real difference for her.”

The morning evolved into a mini civic Woodstock. Between musical performances, teachers, healthcare workers, union representatives, and politicians took the stage to advocate for a variety of demands—universal healthcare, tenant rights, immigrant regularization, fair wages—all united under one banner: fighting against oligarchy. The crowd was a blend of attentive listening and collective energy, as if, for once, politics regained a tangible sense.

“Power to the People”

Shortly before 1 PM, Joan Baez took the stage and instantly energized the crowd with Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around, customizing the lyrics for the occasion—“Ain’t gonna let no white supremacists or lousy billionaires turn me around.” She followed with There But For Fortune and a stunning rendition of John Lennon’s Imagine. At 84, Baez effortlessly bridged the struggles of the past with those of today. Her duet with Maggie Rogers on Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right symbolized a passing of the torch between two generations of committed artists—from a folk icon who sang with Dylan to a young star of the Spotify generation.

“That’s exactly the passing of the torch,” confirmed Katie, a psychotherapist who attended with her mother, a veteran of the 1960s and 1970s protests. Katie had voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 primaries and Joe Biden in 2020, “because I didn’t think implementing Bernie’s proposals was possible.” “But I’ve changed my mind. We no longer have a choice. With the rise of fascism, we need to hit hard. And right now.”

Neil Young concluded the musical segment in his typical fiery and poetic style. “Take America back,” he declared, dressed in black, guitar slung over his shoulder, mixing sermon with jam session. When he began Rockin’ In The Free World, the audience joined in, as if the old grunge anthem still held a potent rebellious spirit. Then Baez and Rogers rejoined him on stage to chant “Power to the people,” suddenly reviving the worn-out slogan with fresh vigor. “Thank you for coming today. And thank you for being here next week. And the week after. Until we make it,” Young said as he left the stage, making way for the highly anticipated Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

“Class Solidarity”

“Some of you may know me by the acronym AOC,” she began playfully. Then, quickly, her tone hardened: “Power, greed, and corruption are taking over our country like never before.” She criticized the influence of money on institutions, the lobbyists flooding the Capitol, and the Democrats and Republicans alike who are sold out to billionaire interests. “Trump is not an aberration,” she insisted. “He is the logical conclusion of a political system dominated by money. We need to attack this system at its root.” Before handing the microphone to Bernie Sanders—her mentor and undoubtedly the organizer of this tour to pass the baton—AOC used a term rarely heard in American political discourse: “class solidarity”; not a struggle, per se, but a semantic shift that is revolutionary in a country where class consciousness remains vague in public debate.

The man everyone was waiting for arrived in a casual shirt, wearing an LA Dodgers cap. “We are living through an extraordinarily dangerous time. How we respond will not only determine our lives but also those of our children and future generations,” prophesied the Vermont senator, sparking an ovation before focusing his speech on denouncing the control a handful of billionaires have over the American economy and political life. His direct eloquence was tireless, even at 83.

“Today, What’s Realistic Is Anger”

In the days to come, Sanders will travel through Utah, Idaho, and Montana, areas much more conservative than Los Angeles, where he is especially popular—he won California against Biden in 2020—capable of drawing crowds and media attention. His primary goal with the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour is to cultivate the red states (a reference to Republican dominance) to win over voters already disillusioned with Trumpism and to recruit potential candidates ready to embody his left-wing populist agenda. His ambition: to rebuild a political force from the grassroots, beyond the Democratic Party, focusing on figures from the working class and, above all, preventing super PACs from once again dominating the electoral battle.

“This is my very first Bernie rally,” shared Shayok, a law student. “He talks about what we have in common. And he’s the only one on the left who can still reach out to at least some of those who voted for Trump. Moderates call him unrealistic, but that’s not true. Today, what’s realistic is anger. The situation is so radical that we need radical responses.” It was just a rally, a Saturday in April, in Los Angeles. But for a few hours, a joyful crowd talked about social justice, class solidarity, and power to the people. In a fractured country, where money rules, where fascism has set in, and where most of those supposed to oppose it are transparent, it was no small thing.