Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is campaigning hard in Southern California this week, determined to fight to the finish and deny Hillary Clinton her crowning moment in the June 7 California primary, forcing a “contested convention” in Philadelphia in July.
On Saturday, he rallied to thousands of his supporters in National City’s Kimball Park, marking his first rally in San Diego since this he spoke in the area this past March.
Continuing with this theme of targeting inequality, Sanders reportedly said his goal was to end the “rigged economy.” According to the Los Angeles Times, he told the massive crowd of nearly 10,000 people, “I’m running for president because we are going to create an economy that works for all of us, not just wealthy campaign contributors.”
Although Hillary Clinton is less than 100 delegates shy of the 2,383 required to cinch the party’s nomination, Sanders has continued to run hard against her, urging a “political revolution” that will long outlive the “rigged” political system. He has also stated time and again that he would beat presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump more easily than Clinton could.
“I think virtually every Democrat understands that Donald Trump would be a disaster for this country if he becomes president,” Sanders said according to the Times.
Comedian George Lopez opened up for Sanders. “As I look out at all these faces — this is America. It is diverse,” Lopez said according to local NBC affiliate in San Deigo. “This is the United States of America where they speak English, y tambien se habla español.”
Also on Saturday, Gov. Jerry Brown had a message for Sanders, although he did not mention the Vermont Senator by name. Speaking with reporters before his talk at a United Farm Workers union convention in Bakersfield on Saturday, Brown reportedly warned against a “scorched earth” presidential campaign for the Democrats.
According to the Times, he said “I don’t think anybody should be seeking the Democratic nomination with a scorched-earth policy. At the end of the day, we’ve all got to work together. It’s very important to beat Donald Trump. That’s the overriding imperative.”
On Monday, the Sanders campaign will open its second office in Southern California in East Los Angeles at 4545 East Cesar Chavez Boulevard.
According to Southern California Public Radio, Bill Velazquez, the campaign’s national director for Latino outreach, said the location is strategic for Sanders ,as he is seeking to garner support from California’s Latino population, and that East L.A. has proven to be a stronghold for that particular demographic.
His first California office is located in Hollywood, and was opened almost exactly one month ago.
On Monday and Tuesday, Sanders will reportedly hold rallies in East Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Anaheim. On Monday, at 4 p.m., he will hold a rally at the Santa Monica High School Football Field, located at 601 Pico Blvd. On Tuesday, doors will open at 7 a.m. for individuals interested in attending his rally at the Anaheim Convention Center, located on the third floor of the Anaheim Ballroom. The address is 800 W Katella Avenue.
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