Bernie Sanders to speak at UMass on Saturday

AMHERST — Bernie Sanders will return to Massachusetts Saturday, this time venturing into Hampshire County.



Sanders, the independent Vermont senator who is pursuing the Democratic nomination for president, will appear at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Fine Arts Center, 151 Presidents Drive, at 1 p.m. to give a talk called “Future to Believe in.”



Doors open at noon and the event is free and open to the public.



Sanders will also hold a similar event in Worcester on Saturday at 5 p.m. at North High School, 140 Harrington Way.



In October, Sanders made a sweep through Massachusetts, holding events in Springfield and Boston.



Sanders leads many polls in the first-in-the-nation primary state of New Hampshire, but trails rival Hillary Clinton in other states. Massachusetts will hold its primary March 1.



Janet Bucciarelli of Amherst said she has already sent her RSVP for herself and her two teenagers for the event. Her husband, Mark Bucciarelli, may or may not attend. He was going to spend Saturday knocking on doors in New Hampshire on Sanders’ behalf, he said.



The campaign is suggesting that people who wish to attend get their names on a list by visiting:



go.berniesanders.com/page/event/detail/rally/4rh3c.



The Bucciarellis both support Sanders because of his stance on the issues. Janet Bucciarelli said she responds to Sanders’ discussions of wealth inequality and his proposal to make public colleges free. Mark Bucciarelli said he likes Sanders’ stance on foreign policy.



“It’s easy for a strong country to overthrow a dictator; what is hard is what comes after,” he said. “I like that he (Sanders) is cautious about that.”



The Bucciarellis have hosted multiple events for Sanders, including a debate-watching party Dec. 19 and a voter calling event the following Monday. They will host another event at which Sanders supporters can call voters on Monday.



More information can be found at:



go.berniesanders.com/page/event/detail/phonebanks/4vrh5.



UMass economics professor Gerald Friedman said he will support Sanders in the March 1 Massachusetts primary, but questioned the candidate’s timing in coming to Amherst.



“It’s bizarre; no one is in Amherst now,” he said. “Come back when students are back.”



Friedman said he agreed with Sanders on 100 percent of the issues, but did not think he was likely to prevail over Clinton for the Democratic nomination. Still, he said he appreciated that Sanders has had an influence on Clinton, whom he sees as more likely to be elected.





