On Labor Day, Bernie Sanders attracted 6,500 attendees in southern Maine to kick off a grassroots movement aimed at battling the oligarchy, introducing Graham Platner—an oyster farmer and Marine veteran—as his endorsed Senate candidate. During the “Fighting Oligarchy” rally, both speakers criticized the control that billionaires and corporate interests exert over society, with Platner emphasizing that “the enemy is the oligarchy.”
Sanders described the greed of billionaires as a form of worship and condemned the economic system that benefits the wealthy while harming ordinary people. He and Platner, who are aligned on crucial issues like universal healthcare and criticisms of the U.S. political establishment, aim to challenge the status quo in Maine’s Senate race, particularly opposing incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
Platner’s campaign is positioned as a fresh departure from traditional politics, focusing on the needs of the working class and criticizing the Democratic Party’s alignment with corporate interests. He argues for a positive vision that addresses material concerns rather than merely opposing Donald Trump or the Republicans.
The rally highlighted dissatisfaction among many Democrats towards both their party leadership and Republicans, with Platner asserting the need for urgent changes to combat rising fascism and inequality. While some attendees voiced skepticism about his chances against Collins, others expressed enthusiasm for Platner’s progressive platform.
In interviews, both Sanders and Platner stressed the importance of building a grassroots movement to reclaim power from the oligarchs and advocate for working-class needs, aiming to transform the Democratic Party into a more progressive force. Sanders criticized the party’s leadership for being out of touch on economic issues and called for a united front to address systemic inequality and injustice in society.
