Boho outfits, life-changing performances and celebrity sightings are common news headlines during Coachella season. However, this year’s music festival took a political turn, addressing the ongoing turmoil in the U.S. Government with a special guest.
Coachella is a major arts and music festival held in the Coachella Valley, 25 miles from Palm Springs. During this year’s first weekend, Clairo, an American singer-songwriter with over six billion streams, had a surprise opener (a common occurrence at arguably the most popular festival in the U.S). Before her set Saturday evening, Bernie Sanders, the Vermont Senator, took the stage, urging the young crowd to stand up for justice, climate change, women’s rights and universal health care—rights that the current executive branch is opposing.
“The future of what happens to America is dependent upon your generation. Now, you can turn away and you can ignore what goes on, but if you do that, you’re doing it to your own peril,” Sanders said.
Despite not mentioning President Trump by name, Sanders’ general reference to the president of the United States caused a crowd-full of boos. “I agree,” the Senator responded.
He continued his speech, stating, “[Trump] thinks that climate change is a hoax. He is dangerously wrong. You and I are going to have to stand up to the fossil fuel industry and tell them to stop destroying this planet.”
The Senator highlighted other crises, such as women’s rights, economic inequality and a broken healthcare system. He encouraged the crowd with, “We need you to stand up and fight for women’s rights… We need you to help us create an economy that works well for everybody, not just the 1%… We need you to stand up to the insurance companies and the drug companies and understand that healthcare is a human right.”
In his closing remarks, Sanders praises Clairo’s political activism and refers to the ongoing war in Gaza, an issue that younger voters had with the Democratic party during the presidential election.
“I’m here because Clairo has used her prominence to fight for women’s rights, to try to end the terrible, brutal war in Gaza, where thousands, thousands of women and children are being killed,” Sanders said.
Senator Sanders’ appearance at Coachella is not his first attempt at gaining the attention of young voters. Over the past two months, Sanders has embarked on his “Fighting Oligarchy Tour,” which consists of rallies around the country opposing the influence of oligarchs, billionaires and corporations on U.S. politics.
This ongoing tour has attracted tens of thousands of citizens around the U.S., particularly young voters frustrated and frightened by the current state of American politics.
Sanders’ dedication to addressing young voters is highlighted by his unusual yet impactful political moves, such as addressing a crowd at a music festival.
By breaking the boundaries of modern politics, Sanders continues his attempt at inspiring the next generation of voters to push back against the assaults on their country and their futures.