Nearly 2,000 people, mostly white millennials, turned out for Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders during his stop at the Akron Civic Theatre on Monday, with chants of “Ber-nie, Ber-nie!”
While they waited for the Vermont senator to make his appearance on the eve of Ohio’s presidential primary, they entertained themselves with the wave and shouts of “feel,” with the response, “the Bern.”
As Sanders took the stage, the energized audience stood up, screaming and cheering.
Sanders urged people to vote, saying, “When there is a large voter turnout, we win.”
He used his Akron appearance to continue to cite differences between his campaign and that of former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, saying his more grass-roots fundraising efforts feature individual donations of $27. He also stressed his stance against free-trade policies and said polls show him beating Republican front-runner Donald Trump “by 18 points, which is a larger reading than Hillary Clinton defeating Trump.”
He said Trump will be defeated because “the American people will not elect a president who insults Mexicans, Muslims and African-Americans.
“The American people believe bringing our people together always trumps dividing us up. … They understand that community need to help each other trumps selfishness and, based on the teachings of every religion, that love always trumps hatred,” he said.
Sanders’ appearance in Akron followed campaign stops in town by former President Bill Clinton on behalf of his wife, as well as an event Sunday by Clinton supporters whose sons were killed by police.
During Sanders’ visit to Akron, three college students were among the crowd screaming with enthusiasm. It was the first presidential candidate they had ever seen in person.
Sadie Zabawa, 21, of Alabama already voted; Kaitlyn Leamy, 21, of Kentucky said she’ll vote on May 17; and Sorcha Vaughan, 22, of Akron said she’ll vote Tuesday. They said they liked that Sanders was for women’s rights and people of color.
“He’s the most trustworthy candidate,” said Amanda Zuschin, 19, of Akron. Her mother, Lisa, 46, said she was undecided and came just to hear what he had to say.
Donning a T-shirt that read “Bern Baby Bern,” Dylan Green, 25, of Massillon said for the longest time he has wanted to go to college.
“It’s never been an option for me, because my family could never afford it. Bernie is talking about free tuition and he’s always been a big supporter of the LGBT, which is important to me,” Green said.
Daniel Hayek, 20, of Akron said he likes Sanders for his position on several issues.
“I like his stance on taking money out of the political special interest groups that are corrupting our democratic process, that he’s for universal health care, increasing the minimum wage,” Hayek said. “He’s pro-civil rights and gay rights and against the foreign trade policies, for imposing a tax on carbon and to stop fracking.”
Eryc Higgins, 17, of Akron said he was excited to be able to vote in the primary and general election. He lived in Michigan for six years and hopes Ohio can repeat a win for Sanders.
“I’m a huge fan of his entire platform, economic justice and expanding Social Security,” said Patrick Downes, 37, of Buffalo. “I just came for the rally. I went to one last fall in Cleveland for him. He’s counting on people to make a difference. I’ll vote on April 19.”
Ron McClendon, a 69-year-old Vietnam veteran who says he votes in every election, called himself a longtime supporter of Sanders.
“I like his ideas,” McClendon said. “He’s consistent.”
Self-described political junkie Lauren Theiss, 35, of Canton said she has listened to all the candidates from both parties and every debate.
“I knew a year ago I was going to vote for him. I liked him immediately,” said Theiss. “I agree with his views on feminism and women’s rights and climate change, and I have my fingers crossed that people will come out and vote for him.”
After the event, vendors stood outside the Main Street theater capitalizing on the excitement and popularity of the candidate with their Bernie Sanders T-shirts, caps and buttons on display.
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.