Sanders arrives at Morehouse College, rallies diverse audience of thousands

By THOMAS HARTWELL, JONATHAN ORRILLO, JUSTIN NADYBAL, ADAM MAELAND

Bernie Sanders speaks to nearly 5,000 at Morehouse College, Tuesday. Photo by Thomas Hartwell

ATLANTA – Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders paid a visit to Morehouse College, Tuesday, drawing a millennial-dominated crowd of nearly 5,000.

Sanders has run a campaign on a foundation of racial, ethnic and socio-economic equality in the 2016 presidential race. His speeches often revolve around the control of wealth in America and the discrepancy in the ownership of that wealth. The rhetoric at the Morehouse rally did not stray from that, and Sanders received energetic support from the audience.

 “We need an economy for all of us,” said Sanders. “Not just the 1 percent.”

Sanders also spoke to his growth in popularity and polls over the course of the 2016 presidential campaign. He cited several states where he either won or is winning according to polls and what those numbers looked like at the beginning of the campaign season, namely in Iowa and New Hampshire.

“We started in Georgia way way way down,” said Sanders. “And you know what? I think we’re going to win right here.”

Several surrogates also spoke on Sanders’ behalf, including rapper and Morehouse alumnus, Killer Mike, who gave an impassioned speech on Sanders’ stance on racial equality. After speaking, Killer Mike, whose real name is Michael Render, spoke candidly about the difference in Clinton and Sanders’ equality policies.

Rapper "Killer Mike" speaks on behalf of Bernie Sanders in preparation for Sanders' speech. Photo by Thomas Hartwell

“Bernie Sanders’ policy advances everyone now. Hillary Clinton’s policy is, ‘Hold up and wait,’” said Render. “Bernie Sanders takes donations of $30 from working-class folks. Hillary Clinton takes millions of dollars from special interests. Bernie Sanders is interested in restoring regulations that will help us all, Hillary Clinton is interested in co-oping and doing more corporate things that are harmful for the worker class.”

Millennial rally attendees energized the atmosphere and said they felt as if Sanders’ policies recognized and valued the needs of young or less fortunate subcultures of voters, such as college students and ethnic minorities, and focused on a government “for the people.”

“Bernie is the only candidate that’s really supported primarily by the people,” said Morehouse College sophomore, Alexander Meyer. “He’s the candidate that has the most integrity, he’s the most progressive candidate, the candidate that actually wants forward change in our country without either keeping a status quo or launching us backwards into regression, and that’s why I support Bernie Sanders.”

Sanders has steadily gained popularity over the course of the 2016 presidential campaign, surprising many, both with his closing poll gaps on Hillary Clinton and, as especially noted in Iowa, with his ability to mobilize and excite a young voter audience.

“I think it’s important for young people to get involved, because this is going to be their future,” said 16-year-old Sanders supporter, Caragan Thiel.

Caragan Thiel and her mother, Tonya Thiel, brandish their Bernie buttons in wait for the beginning of the Atlanta rally. Photo by Thomas Hartwell

Even though she and others her age will not be able to vote in the 2016 election, Thiel said they should still be paying close attention.

 “Legislative policy that’s passed right now and foreign policy and things that go on in this country that happen now are going to affect us later,” said Thiel.

While Sanders is considered by many the owner of the millennial vote, he rallied the support of voters young and old under Morehouse’s Forbes Arena lights – some voters older than others. 93-year-old Charlene Coburn dismissed the idea that Sanders and older voters don’t see eye to eye.

“I’m for the good of the people – whoever can do and change some of the things we need corrected now,” said Coburn. “Experience is another factor. Sanders has been in the federal avenue, he seems to be a rather level-headed person, and he wants to improve and do better for everyone concerned. We need someone who is sincere, who can walk the walk and talk the talk.”

Sanders’ visit to Morehouse College comes before an important two weeks for presidential hopefuls. He moves to Nevada in coming days ahead of Saturday’s caucuses, according to his campaign’s Facebook schedule, and is expected to campaign heavily in South Carolina soon after.