On March 22, 2025, a huge rally took place at Catalina High School’s football stadium in Tucson, Arizona. Around 20,000 people attended to hear Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speak. The event was part of the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, which is traveling across the country to discuss how billionaires and powerful companies influence the government.
Many people at the rally shared worries about the current political situation. Senator Sanders told the crowd, “At the end of the day, 99% is a hell of a bigger number than 1%.” He explained that he believes billionaires, especially Elon Musk, have too much power in the government. Sanders also made a promise, saying directly to President Trump, “We will not allow you to move this country into an oligarchy. We’re not going to allow you and your friend Mr. Musk and the other billionaires to wreak havoc on the working families of this country.”
Representative Ocasio-Cortez criticized President Trump, accusing him of handing control of the government to billionaires. She said, “Trump handed the keys of government to Elon Musk and is selling the country for parts to the richest people on the planet for a kickback.”
Adelita Grijalva, a local politician, spoke emotionally about her late father, Congressman Raúl Grijalva, saying, “I am dealing with the greatest loss of my life… no better way to honor my dad than to add my voice to this event.”
Attendees at the rally had various concerns. Ally May talked about immigration, saying, “It’s pretty terrifying,” referring to recent quick deportations. Rachel Zorr, a university student, was worried about cuts in education funding, saying, “With the way things are going, I feel like I may not be able to afford law school next year.” Kathelyn Morales shared fears about social security because her mother depends on it, saying, “It’s worrying me because the government not being able to help will set me back in my life.”
Before coming to Tucson, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez spoke to even bigger crowds in Denver, Colorado, with more than 34,000 people attending, making it the largest event either had ever held. Sanders explained the meaning behind their tour, saying, “People understand you have to be blind not to see that what we have today is a government of the billionaires, by the billionaires and for the billionaires.”
Sanders thinks Democrats should stand stronger against Trump’s policies and support issues like income inequality, health care, and climate change. He said, “If they do that, I think working people will come back into the fold. If not, I suspect the party will continue to decline.”
The rallies showed that many people want action from political leaders. Clarissa Vela, who volunteered at a rally, said Democrats need to “stop biting their tongues and get loud,” emphasizing the importance of organizing to make change happen.
As the rally ended, people felt more united and determined. Pamela Slavin summarized the crowd’s feelings, saying, “We all care about the same things.” The “Fighting Oligarchy” tour continues to encourage people to work together for democracy, fairness, and justice.
This article is based on the following articles:
https://www.commondreams.org/news/sanders-aoc-fight-oligarchy-denver
Background Information
Bernie Sanders:
Bernie Sanders is a United States senator from Vermont. He is an Independent, meaning he does not belong to either of the two major political parties—the Democrats or the Republicans—but he often works closely with the Democratic Party. Sanders has been in U.S. politics for more than 30 years and ran for president in 2016 and 2020. He is well-known for promoting progressive ideas, such as providing healthcare for all people, reducing income inequality, and fighting climate change. Sanders frequently speaks out against powerful companies and wealthy individuals who he believes have too much influence over government decisions.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC):
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, often called “AOC,” is a Democratic representative in the U.S. House of Representatives from New York. She is known for being a younger politician who gained attention by speaking out strongly about issues like climate change, economic fairness, and social justice. AOC often advocates for the interests of working-class people and is popular among younger voters for her clear communication style and energetic approach to politics.
What is Oligarchy?
An oligarchy is a form of government or social structure where a small group of wealthy or powerful people have control over a country or organization. In an oligarchy, ordinary citizens usually have very limited influence on decisions. The word “oligarchy” comes from Greek, meaning “rule by a few.” Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez use this term because they believe that billionaires and large corporations are having too much power over the U.S. government, limiting the voices and power of everyday people.
Economic Inequality:
Economic inequality means there is a big gap between wealthy people and everyone else. In the United States, many people are concerned about the growing difference between the very rich (often called the “1%”) and the rest of the population (the “99%”). Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez argue that this gap has become unfairly large, with most of the nation’s wealth concentrated in the hands of a small group, making life harder for middle-class and working-class families.
Social Security:
Social Security is a program run by the U.S. government to help older people, people with disabilities, and families who lose a loved one. When people work, they pay taxes into the Social Security system, and when they retire or need support, the program provides them with regular payments. Many Americans depend on Social Security to help pay for basic living expenses during retirement.
Immigration and Deportation:
Immigration refers to people moving from one country to another, often seeking better opportunities or safety. Deportation means sending people out of a country because they do not have legal permission to stay. Immigration and deportation policies are frequently debated in U.S. politics, with different sides having strong feelings about how strict or flexible these rules should be.
Government Funding and Cuts:
Government funding comes from taxes and is used for many important public services, such as education, healthcare, roads, and the military. When the government decides to cut funding, it usually means reducing money available for these services. Politicians sometimes disagree on which areas should receive more or less funding. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez argue against deep cuts to services that directly impact working people, like education and healthcare.
Grassroots Movement:
A grassroots movement is a political or social effort driven by ordinary citizens, rather than big businesses or government leaders. These movements usually start from the bottom up, with regular people organizing to make changes. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez frequently support grassroots activism because they believe it empowers ordinary citizens to have their voices heard and can lead to significant change in society.
Democratic Party and Republican Party:
The two major political parties in the U.S. are the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. Democrats often support more active roles for government in areas like healthcare, education, and environmental protection, while Republicans generally prefer less government involvement, lower taxes, and fewer regulations on businesses. Sanders, who is an Independent, and Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat, encourage the Democratic Party to focus more on helping everyday working people and less on pleasing large companies and wealthy individuals.
Elon Musk:
Elon Musk is one of the world’s richest people, known for leading companies like Tesla (electric cars) and SpaceX (space exploration). Recently, Musk has been involved in influencing government policies aimed at reducing spending, leading to job cuts and funding reductions for various government programs. Critics, including Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, argue that Musk’s influence benefits the wealthy at the expense of ordinary citizens.
Donald Trump:
Donald Trump is the former President of the United States who served from 2017 to 2021 and was re-elected to a second term in 2024. Trump’s presidency has been marked by strong support from some Americans and strong criticism from others. His policies often focused on reducing government spending, tightening immigration rules, and supporting big businesses. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez criticize Trump for policies they believe harm working people and help wealthy individuals and companies.
Purpose of Political Rallies:
Political rallies are large gatherings where leaders speak directly to citizens to share their views, ideas, and plans. Rallies often aim to energize supporters, spread political messages, and encourage community action. The “Fighting Oligarchy” tour is an example of a rally series aimed at raising awareness about economic fairness and motivating citizens to become politically active.
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