ANN ARBOR – Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders made his fourth appearance in Michigan at the University of Michigan on Sunday evening.
According to campaign officials, a crowd of 10,240 packed the Diag to see the Senator.
Recommended Videos
Colleen Robinson and her son Sterling Ebel drove from Waterville, Ohio to attend the rally.
“I’m actually Canadian and I have a green card," said Robinson. “I know what it’s like to have medicare for all, or at least the equivalent of it. And ever since I moved to the United States, I miss it. I miss the security. When you have children and you have universal healthcare like they do in Canada, you don’t have to worry.”
✉ Like what you’re reading? Sign up for our email newsletter here!
Ebel, who was introduced to Sanders by his mom, said he sees Sanders as a force against social injustice.
“I think he’s the best candidate to fight inequality and injustice in the United States," said Ebel. “And I think he’s working really hard to improve the country for everyone and not just the rich.”
A self-professed Bernie fan, Robinson said she has Sanders T-shirts, bumper stickers and campaign posters in her windows and yard.
“We strongly support him and I really do believe he is the best thing for this country,” she said. “We need Bernie.”
Following speeches by Sen. Jeff Irwin, State Rep. Yousef Rabhi and 2018 gubernatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed, Sanders was introduced by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who endorsed him ahead of Michigan’s primary on Tuesday.
During his speech, Sanders touched upon his commitment to healthcare for all, affordable childcare, eradicating student debt, legalizing marijuana nationwide, enforcing sweeping gun reform and more.
He also addressed his rival on the democratic ticket, whom he acknowledged enjoys broad support from the political establishment.
“I understand that Joe Biden has the support of the entire political establishment. I got that,” said Sanders. “But we have the support of some of the strongest grassroots movements in this country. We have the support of some of the best unions in this country. And I will 100 times over prefer that grassroots support than establishment support.”
Sanders came to Ann Arbor after a weekend of rallies in Detroit, Dearborn and Grand Rapids. Earlier on Sunday, civil rights activist the Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr. joined Sanders on stage at his rally in Grand Rapids and endorsed the candidate. Biden is expected in Michigan on Monday ahead of the Tuesday primary.
“Tuesday is a very, very important day and Michigan is the most important state coming up on Tuesday," Sanders told the crowd dense with students. "We need you to come out to vote or to vote early. We need you to bring out your friends and families and coworkers.
"Tell (your friends) to stop complaining and to stand up and fight back. Let’s win here in Michigan. Let us win the democratic nomination. And together let us defeat Donald Trump.”