Arriving fresh from his “Fighting Oligarchy” rally in downtown Los Angeles, Sanders took the stage in Indio following an introduction by Rep. Maxwell Frost.
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Thanking Clairo for allowing him time onstage, Sanders addressed the cheering crowd, declaring, “This country faces some very difficult challenges. And the future of what happens to America is dependent upon your generation.” Urging the audience not to turn away, he added, “We need you to stand up, to fight for justice. To fight for economic justice, social justice, and racial justice.”
The crowd erupted with boos when Sanders criticised the sitting president, stating, “He thinks that climate change is a hoax. He is dangerously wrong, and you and I are going to have to stand up to the fossil fuel industry and tell them to stop destroying this planet.”
Sanders also denounced the erosion of reproductive rights, saying, “Many states are trying to take away a woman’s right to control her own body. We need you to stand up and fight for women’s rights.” He ended his speech with calls for universal health care and economic reform.
Before leaving, Sanders praised Clairo for her activism, especially her advocacy for women’s rights and the Palestinian cause. “Thank you for the great work that she is doing,” he said. Clairo and her band greeted him with hugs and handshakes before beginning their set.