With hands clenched in fists, signs held high and echoes of cheers, students and community members flooded Dunn Meadow to see prominent senator and 2016 presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders.
With the Indiana midterm elections coming up on November 6, Senator Sanders, I-Vermont, and Indiana representative candidate Liz Watson say they want to get more people to the polls.
“And you right here in Indiana, in the 9th district, can in fact play a monumental role in the future of this country,” Senator Bernie Sanders said.
Hundreds gathered in Dunn Meadow Friday, October 19 to rally with Bernie Sanders and Liz Watson as part of the Get Out The Vote campaign. Senator Sanders came to Bloomington to endorse Liz Watson, a democrat who is running for the 9th congressional district against Republican incumbent, Trey Hollingsworth.
“Now is our time, this is our chance, today we are going to make history together,” Liz Watson said.
The event began with multiple speakers from the community including Watson campaign student organizers. Additionally, there were speakers from across Indiana such as Brett Voorhies, Indiana AFL-CIO President , Dana Black, Chair of Engagement for Indiana’s Own and Nina Turner, president of Our Revolution.
With nearly 3,000 attendees, the crowd was roaring with support for the message. Both Sanders and Watson spoke about topics like universal healthcare, raising the minimum wage and student debt.
Both Senator Sanders and Watson say they hope to double voter participation in Indiana. As apart of that effort, they led a rally to the polls and a flood of people took way down 7th street towards the
Monroe Country Election Central to participate in early voting.
The event brought almost 200 voters to Election Central in under one hour to cast their early votes. Attendees lined the outside of the building waiting for the chance to fill out their ballot.
However, not all voters were in support of Liz Watson. Riley Fetigg is an IU junior and was wearing a “Make America Great Again” flag around his neck during the rally and said he does not agree with Sen. Sanders or Watson.
“It’s not everyday that a senator comes to Bloomington, so no matter who it is, I’ll probably come, even if I disagree,” Fettig said. “I still want to be a part of the environment.”
Fettig said he loves being involved in the political environment whether or not his views match those around him. He said he admires the event for getting people to the polls.
The event was part of the
Get Out The Vote campaign and was meant to create an environment were citizens are fully using their right to vote, especially in their local midterm elections.
“It is our responsibility to be engaged in our citizen government. Get involved, stay engaged, make it happen,” Dana Black Indiana’s Own Chair of Engagement said. “I’m really excited about the energy (and) people are engaged, they aren’t just sitting back hoping for something to happen, they’re trying to make it happen.”
Since the days are counting down until Election Day on November 6th, Liz Watson is campaigning hard, hoping for a win against Trey Hollingsworth to represent Bloomington.
“Let’s get to work, let’s take our place in history…lets vote,” said Liz Watson at the end of her speech at the event.
For more information about where to vote, how to vote early and who is on your ballot, visit the Indiana voters
website.
