Huge Crowd Turns Out To Feel The Bern In San Jose
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- Thousands of Bay Area Bernie Sanders supporters lined up to hear the Democratic candidate for president speak at a San Jose rally Wednesday afternoon.
They were "Feeling the Bern," but also feeling the heat on an unseasonably warm 90-degree day in the South Bay as they waited in line under a hot sun.
But it did not matter.
Robert Foglia was the first person in line. He arrived at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds at 4:15 am.
Another group of supporters came just moments later.
"The girls behind me showed up at 4:20. I know, I know," said Fogla.
When asked if he was worried people might accuse him of being a unemployed socialist for backing Sanders, Foglia replied, "Actually I own a company, I employ about 5 people. He's got a couple good policies that I'm in support of. Universal Healthcare I think that's an achievable platform that he can get done.
The crowd was as passionate as it was young and diverse. The throng of thousands wrapped around the block.
There were plenty of college-age students, many hoping to hear Sanders' message of affordable tuition.
Ruthie Nkomo is not asking for a handout. She's on track to be a psychiatric technician, but will graduate $30,000 in debt.
"How do you start your life when your 30 grand in the hole? You get a serving job and do all the things you thought you weren't going to have to do in the long run," said Nkomo.
When asked if she thought Bernie could turn that around, she said, "We don't know that he can, but he's the one that can push us in the direction we want to pursue ourselves."
Sanders was in southern California Tuesday, his third appearance in the state in two weeks. His presence in the Bay Area is a sign he is not conceding to Hillary Clinton.
Jax Clay, a state delegate from Iowa, drove all the way to the Bay Area to help with the campaign, arriving Tuesday night.
"Bernie [has] thousands and thousands of supporters, because they know there's nothing more important than saving democracy, which is government by the people by all of us," said Clay. "Not by billionaires and corporations or Wall Street."
Organizers were trying to take precautions to keep those gathered from succumbing to the head, reminding them to stay as hydrated as possible.
Sanders took the stage at about 1 p.m. after a performance by '60s folk-rock protest singer Joan Baez. During his approximately 45 minute speech, the candidate stuck to many of his principle campaign points.
Sanders stressed the importance of California and its 546 delegates to his campaign and highlighted its appeal to young voters.
"The California Primary is the most important primary of the entire process," said Sanders, adding that California must get aboard the political revolution.
Sanders also kept up his economic focus during his speech, saying the economy in the U.S. is "rigged" and leaving too many living in poverty.
"When children in America are going hungry, when veterans in America are living out on the streets, the wealthiest 20 people own more wealth than the bottom half of America," said Sanders.
He called on the federal minimum wage to be raised to $15 an hour and agreed with demands being made by women for wage equality.
"They want the whole damn dollar, and they're right!" said Sanders
Sanders reassured those who were worried that presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump might be the next President of the United States.
"That will not happen!" exclaimed the candidate.
Sanders also offered a position on the push in California to legalize pot.
"If I lived in California, I would vote yes on legalizing marijuana," said Sanders.
Sanders is scheduled to speak at a second campaign event in Vallejo at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday night.
