Bernie Sanders rallied in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as part of his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, endorsing U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. Speaking to a packed audience at Miller Auditorium, Sanders emphasized the urgency of addressing wealth inequality, stating it is at an unprecedented level in U.S. history. He criticized Congress as “corporately owned” and condemned campaign finance laws favoring both Democrats and Republicans. His speech briefly touched on the Trump Administration but predominantly focused on the economy, advocating for a raised federal minimum wage of $17 and highlighting disparities in life expectancy between the wealthy and working-class citizens.
Abdul El-Sayed, also speaking at the rally, criticized legislation he claimed undermines Medicare and praised Sanders for his advocacy against corporate interests. Sanders voiced concerns over artificial intelligence and the need for community, urging citizens to think ambitiously about the country’s future. In response, Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers criticized Sanders for promoting tax increases over pay raises for working families. Sanders will continue his tour in Chicago.
