DOWNTOWN — Speaking before thousands of supporters at a Downtown university, Bernie Sanders predicted a "political revolution" ahead of a crucial Super Tuesday vote in Illinois.
In front of a crowd of nearly 4,000 people, who had waited for hours to see Sanders at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, Sanders said, "It looks to me like Chicago and Illinois are ready for a political revolution and that is what we are going to see [Tuesday]."
"It's 11 o'clock at night and you're still here. Looks like you're ready for a political revolution!"
Thousands more people filled the streets outside the theater, at 50 E. Congress Pkwy., after they were turned away because the theater was filled.
Bernie Sanders. pic.twitter.com/ZPFqZ5f4U6
— Evan F. Moore (@evanFmoore) March 15, 2016
Sanders hit on topics sensitive to Chicagoans, including police misconduct, public education, and unemployment. The Vermont senator also noted the Monday shootings of three Chicago Police officers, saying "gun violence needs to end." Sanders talked about raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour, making it easier for workers to join unions, and ensuring equal pay for women.
Sanders ripped the mayor: "I want to thank Mayor Rahm Emanuel for not endorsing me. I don't want his endorsement. I don't want the endorsement of a mayor who is shutting down school after school and firing teachers."
Many of the people who attended the rally say that the Sanders' long-time socialist politics can benefit Chicagoans.
Britini Schultz,31, who works at the Shedd Aquarium, said of Sanders: "I love that he isn't afraid of the word socialist.
"Some people get up and arms about it," Schultz said. " We're backwards here in America. I would like to see the socialization of services here in America."
Heike Schotten, a Boston resident who was in Chicago visiting friends when she decided to attend the rally, is voting for Sanders "because his platform is consistent with his political beliefs."
"I think Bernie has a hard time tying economic justice with racial justice. People in Chicago are helping him make those connections," she said.
Ben Kaye, a native of London, England has lived in Chicago for the past three years. He believes that Sanders' message is the most consistent of all the candidates.
"He speaks for equality. Economically and socially," Kaye said. "I think he is consistent. A lot of politicians waver on the issues depending on who they are talking to."
Kaye, an actor who wore a spinoff of Donald Trump "Make America Great Again" cap by wearing one that said "Make Donald Drumpf Again," believes that Sanders' message resonates the most with Chicago voters.
"We're a town that has been through a lot of political nonsense the past few years with our mayor," Kaye said. "We've seen what happens when political leaders don't do us justice. Bernie can stand with people instead of bringing them down."
Cook County Commissioner and formal mayoral candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia and former NAACP head Ben Jealous, among others, took turns warming up the crowd before Sanders came out.
According to campaign officials, more than 3,900 people attended Monday night's rally, but thousands more were turned away and filled the streets outside.
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