Los Angeles Gathers to Challenge the Powerful

In Los Angeles, a massive crowd filled the Gloria Molina Grand Park. The event was a big deal, organized by Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. They were on a mission to speak out against the increasing power of billionaires and big companies in politics. This was part of their "Fighting Oligarchy" tour, which has been traveling across the nation. The senator took the stage and warned the audience. He said that President Trump was pushing the country towards a dangerous path. He called it "an authoritarian form of society. " The crowd cheered loudly, showing their support. Around 36, 000 people were there, enjoying performances by politicians and famous musicians like Neil Young and Joan Baez. Sanders spoke passionately about the current state of affairs. He pointed out that a small group of billionaires were controlling both the economy and politics. He believed that their presence at the event would send a strong message to Trump and his allies, like tech billionaire Elon Musk. Ocasio-Cortez, often called AOC, had strong words for Trump's policies. She criticized his "corrupt and disastrous tariff scheme. " She argued that it wasn't about helping American manufacturing. Instead, she claimed it was a way to manipulate the market. She said Trump was using it to make his friends richer. He was doing this by encouraging them to buy stocks at a low price. Then, he would reverse the tariffs the next day, making them even wealthier. The rally was more than just a protest. It was part of a growing movement against Trump's administration. Many people were upset about attempts to reduce social safety nets and give tax breaks to the wealthy. The tour planned to visit states like Idaho, Utah, and Montana. These states had voted for Trump in the previous election. The goal was to connect with voters who might be having second thoughts. The event featured strong, progressive messages. It resonated with people who opposed Trump's policies. It also appealed to those disappointed with established Democrats. They felt that the Democratic Party was not doing enough to resist Trump. One attendee, David Rasmussen, summed it up well. He said, "We've all got to rise up together, fight it, push it back, make something else happen because this cannot go on. "