GREELEY — On March 21, 2025, around 10,000 people rallied in Greeley to hear from Democratic U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The enthusiasm didn’t stop there, as over 30,000 flocked to a later event in Denver, marking Sanders' most well-attended rally ever.
This series of events, part of the ‘Fight the Oligarchy’ tour, focused on addressing wealth inequality and the significant influence that billionaires, particularly Elon Musk, exert over the government.
In Greeley, a long line wrapped around the Bank of Colorado Arena, which has a capacity of just 3,000—leaving many supporters outside. Ryan Patnaude, an atmospheric scientist from Fort Collins, shared his reason for attending. "I work in sort of the federal adjacent sector. My work is funded by the National Science Foundation, which has been threatened with cuts, and that has been, obviously, where the funding for my job has come from," he said, referring to ongoing federal funding concerns.
Supporters also expressed a shared belief that federal resources are not adequately reaching those in need. Ariana Cisneros, who works in disability services in Greeley, stated, "The money is going to the top, and then they’re forgetting about the people who actually need this help." Her sentiments reflect growing frustration among constituents regarding federal aid.
During the events, Sanders directly addressed the crowd, voicing his concerns over escalating wealth disparities fueled largely by oligarchs' influence in government. "So my friends, why is all of this happening? Why is it that the rich get richer and working class people die younger than they should?" he questioned, underscoring the connection that researchers have made between income levels and life expectancy.
He asked the audience to share the costs they face in healthcare, what their bills look like, emphasizing the financial stress that plagues many Americans. Ocasio-Cortez echoed these frustrations, citing political representatives who neglect to communicate with their districts directly. "I hear that you have a representative who has not done a town hall," she said, pointing indirectly at U.S. Representative Gabe Evans amidst boos from attendees.
After a series of encouraging speeches in Greeley and Denver, the tour continued to Tucson, where around 20,000 people gathered at Catalina High School. The atmosphere was charged as attendees awaited the prominent progressives. The focus remained steadfast on calling out government cuts and the prioritization of billionaires over the average citizen.
"I don't care if you're a conservative Republican or a progressive, does anybody think it makes sense that we have a campaign finance system where one man, Musk, can put $270 million to get Trump elected, and then his reward is that he becomes the most powerful person in government? That is not democracy, that is oligarchy," Sanders proclaimed, aiming to unite various demographics against their common plight.
As the night progressed, Ocasio-Cortez shared her heartfelt memories of the late Representative Raúl Grijalva, who championed progressive causes. "In this moment of grief, I hope we all carry on together. We need to choose and send people to Congress who make Tucson proud," she remarked, underscoring the need for a unified front in support of local progressive causes.
Attendees reflected on the mood of discontent that many feel towards the political landscape, with Natalie Callahan expressing her deep frustration at the lack of a cohesive response from Democrats. "It's so incredibly frustrating to lose to such a horrible candidate again, and then just still getting fundraiser texts and emails from Democratic officials that we have voted for and supported that aren't doing anything, but they want us to spend more money," she expressed.
The Tucson rally concluded with Bernie Sanders emphasizing the need for solidarity and political action against oligarchical governance. "Brothers and sisters, I don't have a PhD in math, but I do know this: 99 percent is a hell of a bigger number than 1 percent. We will not allow America to become an oligarchy," Sanders exclaimed, effectively reiterating the rallying call of the event.
With the backdrop of overwhelming turnout across multiple cities, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez's tour spotlights not just the discontent with the current administration, but the collective hope for a government that prioritizes the welfare of all citizens over the interests of a wealthy few. This tour has ignited a fervor among supporters calling for renewed activism and a push for change through grassroots movements.
