Sanders’ caucus-eve rally in Las Vegas draws ardent supporters

Vermont natives Jeralyn Darling and Matthew Van Hook have been together for years, but their support for Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders goes back even further.

The couple joined hundreds of other supporters Friday night at the Springs Preserve for the Vermont senator's pre-caucus rally, which at times resembled a rock concert as folk and bluegrass band Dusty Sunshine set the tone for the evening. Sanders’ iconic white “Bernie” logo projected against the outdoor amphitheater's rock structure, and merch stands of swag, buttons and T-shirts were positioned outside the venue.

Nevadans' fervor for the presumptive front-runner is reflected in the latest polls, with some showing the senator with at least a 15-point lead as of Friday night.

Darling, 29, who has lived in Las Vegas for four years, says she has admired Sanders since before she could vote because he has been a progressive force in public service since his early political years as mayor of Burlington, Vt.

“He was one of the first people to come out and openly and loudly support same-sex marriage, and that struck me, so I learned more about his policies, and the more I learned, the more I liked him,” she said. “He’s for equality and is progressive and it seems like he works hard enough to get the job done and keep his promises, and I’ve seen that for years with his work in the Senate.”

Several well-known public figures warmed up the crowd. They included gun control advocate and Parkland, Fla., shooting survivor Cameron Kasky, climate change activist and author Naomi Klein, and former Ohio Sen. Nina Turner, who was named a national co-chair of the 2020 Sanders campaign.

Turner said African-American women like herself have been criticized for their support of Sanders.

“Somebody said those black women who support Sen. Bernie Sanders including myself and press secretary Briahna Joy Gray are on the island of misfit black women … but it isn’t an island, it’s a whole continent,” she said, likely referring to a remark made Friday by MSNBC contributor Jason Johnson.

When Sanders eventually took the stage, he touched on issues that are a hallmark of his campaign: income inequality, "Medicare for All" and canceling student debt.

Sanders, who joined Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden in slamming newcomer Michael Bloomberg on the debate stage Wednesday over his nondisclosure agreements and “stop-and-frisk” policy, wasn’t finished throwing punches at the former New York City mayor.

“Bloomberg has every right to run for president,” he said. “He doesn't have a right to buy the election."

Sanders reiterated his belief that no one working 40 hours a week should be living in poverty. He added that as president, his administration would raise the national minimum wage to at least $15 an hour. He also said he would end the “absurdity” of the gender-wage gap, where women still make only 80 cents on the dollar.

“We believe in equal pay for equal work, and women should get the whole damn dollar,” he said.

Sanders also emphasized his support for collective bargaining and unions, saying that his administration would introduce plans to essentially double union membership in the country.

On Friday, Sanders also slammed the current administration's “broken and racist” immigration system, referencing his father’s “coming to America” story.

“On Day One, we end the demonization of the undocumented in this country,” he said. “On Day One we end a border policy which allows federal agents to snatch babies from the arms of their mothers. I have absolute confidence that we will be able to do what the American people want us to do, and that is pass comprehensive immigration reform and a path toward citizenship.”

Sanders’ message on immigration resonated with Roxanne Perez-Guzman, who is the daughter of immigrants.

Perez-Guzman, who at age 18 will take part in the political process for the first time today, plans to caucus for Sanders.

“My mom comes from Mexico and my dad is from Cuba,” she said. “My mom first came to the United States when she was 17 … my mom could never advocate for her rights as an immigrant because she thought 'nobody is going to believe me and nobody is going to care, I’m going to have to (get deported) and you guys are never going to see me again.’ That was really scary for me growing up.”

Guzman-Perez’s father, Jose Perez, also attended the rally. Although skeptical of socialism from his experience in Cuba, Perez said he doesn’t echo the concerns others have over Sanders’ democratic socialist policies. He sees President Donald Trump as worse for the country.

“Sanders is a 100% better option,” he said. “I don’t believe in anything (Trump) says. To me, he’s a real crooked guy.”