'Fighting Oligarchy' rally with Bernie Sanders and AOC draws thousands in Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The nationwide 'Fighting Oligarchy' tour led by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders had thousands filling an arena in Kern County on Tuesday.

More than 4,000 people stood in line before entering the Dignity Health Arena on Truxtun Avenue.

Crowds were so large that over 300 people were unable to make it inside.

Indoors, every seat was filled at one of Bakersfield's largest arenas, as Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez made a stop in the Central Valley.

Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez called on supporters and Congress to fight for affordable health care, housing, and livable wages.

"In America, no worker should be working for starvation wages. Let us raise the minimum wage to a living wage," expressed Sanders.

"Health care is a human right, not a privilege," Sanders continued. "The funds in our healthcare are not to make billions in profit for the drug or insurance companies. It's to provide quality care for every adult and child in America."

Ocasio-Cortez called on Central California lawmakers to take action.

"So, you all know what that means. We must start working right now to give David Valadao the boot, and replace him with a brawling democrat who will stand up for the working people of this community," said Ocasio-Cortez.

Valadao reacted to the comment in a statement to Action News, writing:

"The party of AOC and Bernie Sanders ignored the needs of the Valley for the last four years. Their only answer to any problem is to borrow more and spend more, and the outcome was record inflation, higher energy costs, and housing becoming even more out of reach for Valley families. While out-of-touch, out-of-town socialists continue to use the Central Valley as a backdrop for their political stunts, I'll keep fighting to deliver real results for my constituents."

Members and leaders of the United Farm Workers also spoke during the event.

"The farm worker union is fighting back; we are suing the border patrol," said UFW President Teresa Romero.

One member shared how her bare hands have helped feed America, as she has been working in the fields for the past 20 years.

Across the street from the event, Bakersfield's Republican Party showed up in support of President Donald Trump.

"I kind of find it ironic that Bernie Sanders and AOC are here talking about oligarchy. Bernie Sanders is a multi-millionaire," said Darren Amos with the Greater Bakersfield Republican Assembly.

Former Republican Congresswoman Connie Conway also weighed in on the event.

"It's a manufactured narrative. It's the same thing Bernie Sanders has been saying since the 90s over and over again," said Conway.

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