Sanders takes a stand during and after Tulsa rally

Sara Ritsch
Staff Writer

(Tulsa, OK) – Sen. Bernie Sanders ended his rally in Tulsa, OK this week by making a special appearance outside to speak to his constituents that were still in line.

There were almost 2,000 supporters left out due to the inside reaching its maximum capacity of over 6,000 people. It has been debated as to whether there were up to 12,000 total, with many unaccounted for.

On Wednesday, February 24th, two correspondents for The Gayly attended that rally; during and after which Sanders showed he is truly for the people.

We walked in to various songs of revolution. People filed in not in a line but in great masses; masses that clogged the city streets just hours ago as they awaited their movement towards more than a rally, but towards a future. Towards their revolution.

Attendee demographics ranged from small children to ages over 60. Millennials claimed their leader with enthusiasm, freely chanting his name. An elderly woman and her caregiver awaited their turn fairly, dragging outdoor chairs along with them in their approach. They had the energy of a younger generation.

The energy skyrocketed with every whoop and cheer. Sporadic intensity suggested they were stimulated by the media’s presence, eager to share their progressive perspectives with the world.

A sign reading “The revolution is now” caught my eye while “Power to the People” played overhead, and I noticed countless t-shirts reading “Talk Bernie to me!” worn by enthusiastic millennials, Baby Boomers and elders alike.

The enthusiasm clogged Twitter, too, when #feelthebern became the 6th most tweeted hashtag on the internet around 6:00. Sanders had not even gone on yet.

The crowd tripled, with countless supporters everywhere in sight. They surrounded the press station, even in the farthest reaches of the back of the room, their sight obstructed by media.

The people wanted to be there for him. As long as they were screaming, as long as their voices were heard, they were content.

It was impossible to tell when Bernie came on, or if he had peeked his rumpled head out of the curtain to observe his constituents, because of the constant chanting of his name.

As described that evening on The Gayly, Connie Johnson, former state senator and super delegate, invited him to the stage after reminding the audience to give Sen. Sanders their love. They did. 

"The government affects all of us, not just a wealthy few," was his message today, as it has always been. "This campaign is gaining momentum," he said, and an unbelievable cheer shook the stage.

Sanders discussed his highlighting topics - the corruption on Wall Street and of the one percent, sustainability, college education, childcare, welfare, student debt, Planned Parenthood, women's rights, LGBT rights, criminal justice reform, immigration and the downfall of racism and bigotry (with few references to the GOP candidates).

"The only way we make the change this country needs is when millions of people stand up and fight back!" Sanders exclaimed, to be met with thunderous applause. "All of you know how real change always takes place. It starts from the bottom on up."

Sanders urged the throng of youngsters to vote in the upcoming primaries, saying, "A united people can never be defeated! The people determine the future. The people on top are more than delighted when ordinary Americans don't vote. They don't want to hear from the working families or see or feel their pain. Those days are gone."

In his final statement, he said, "When we stand together we can accomplish anything. This campaign is transforming a nation. We can win here in Oklahoma and a victory here is the path to victory nationally." The crowd went wild. 

One aspect that was unheard of until recently is that the crowd’s reach transcended the building itself. A seeming two thousand people remained outside, hopeful that the rest of the multitudes of supporters could make room for them. They didn’t make it inside.

But Sanders made it out.

According to several sources, Sanders jumped out of a vehicle and hopped up on a ledge surrounded by secret service and spoke for several minutes, giving his apologies for their inability to make it inside and his thanks for the turn-out. The line still stretched back farther than the BOK center by the time he came out, around 8:45.

Everyone chanted his name, just like inside – but out there, with faith enough to stand in the cold, hoping their leader would soon make an appearance.

Metaphorically speaking, if to have made it inside is to have been privileged or elite, Sanders showed his support for the marginalized by reaching out to the outside crowd of people.

Sanders, on a smaller scale, did exactly what he has continually told us he would do.

The Gayly – 2/26/2016 @ 3:48 p.m. CST