By Amberly R Taylor & Angelique Jovette
Bernie Sanders’ highly anticipated rally at Denver’s Civic Center Park drew More than 34,000 enthusiastic supporters on March 21st, 2025. The event, part of his national “Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here” tour, aimed to promote a progressive agenda and oppose President Donald Trump’s policies. However, despite the excitement, Sanders’ message fell short of addressing the local community’s most pressing concerns.
As an attendee, I felt the atmosphere in the park was electric. Supporters from all walks of life gathered to hear Sanders and special guest Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) speak. However, the aura in the air after Sanders’ speech felt somewhat disconnected from the local community’s immediate needs.
One of the most glaring omissions was the lack of discussion on the recent police-involved death of 23-year-old Jailn Seabron. Seabron, a Centennial, Colorado resident, was celebrating his birthday when an officer fatally shot him during a shooting at the Main Event Center. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and calls for police accountability in the community.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department has released a statement on its website, stating that the deputy involved was placed on administrative leave pending an independent investigation by the 23rd Judicial District. However, the community still seeks answers and justice for Seabron’s family.
Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez’s failure to address this incident and other local concerns was noticeable. Neither mentioned the rising housing costs, lack of affordable housing for low-income families, or the recent drive-by shootings that have plagued the city. The struggles of the houseless community, poverty on Colfax, and cases of juveniles as young as 10 years old in the Colorado Juvenile Judicial system were also ignored.
Instead, Sanders focused on federal issues, such as proposed cuts to social security and education, which did resonate with the crowd. His message on the importance of fighting oligarchy and promoting a progressive agenda was well-received, but it felt disconnected from the local community’s immediate needs.
The event highlighted the importance of national figures like Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez using their platforms to amplify local voices and address community concerns. Federal lawmakers are responsible for listening to and addressing the needs of their constituents, including those in local communities like Denver.
In the future, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez would benefit from incorporating local issues into their agendas, which include discussing affordable housing, police accountability, and other pressing concerns specific to Colorado. By doing so, they can create a more inclusive and impactful message that resonates with local communities.
The role of national figures in local politics is significant, and their impact can be felt all the way from the statehouse to the White House. As leaders, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have a duty to use their platforms to bring attention to local issues and promote positive change.
In conclusion, while Sanders’ rally in Denver was energetic and well-attended, his failure to address local issues was a missed opportunity. As national figures, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez must prioritize listening to and addressing the needs of local communities. By doing so, they can build a stronger, more inclusive movement that promotes positive change from the ground up.
Photos credit: Amberly R Taylor.
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