Sen. Bernie Sanders headlined a Labor Day rally in Portland, Maine, as part of his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, aligning with Democratic primary candidates Troy Jackson and Graham Platner, who advocate for democratic socialism. Platner, an oysterman, criticized the political establishment for enabling wealth concentration and declared the “oligarchy is the enemy.” He claimed that both major political parties have failed to serve working people, emphasizing that support must be earned, not assumed.
He expressed concern about Senator Susan Collins’ political actions, asserting she has aligned with corporate interests and failed to address key issues affecting Maine families, like healthcare and reproductive rights. Platner posited that voters understand the implications of “oligarchy” and highlighted the system’s design to benefit the wealthy at the expense of working people.
Jackson, a seventh-generation logger, echoed these sentiments, expressing his commitment to putting power back in the hands of the people and addressing economic disparities.
Sanders concluded the rally by warning of the dangerous rise in authoritarianism and inequality under Trump and urged for a robust grassroots movement to combat it. He called for bold progressive policies, including Medicare for All and support for public education, and emphasized the importance of solidarity and union efforts in fighting systemic issues.
