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2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumBernie Sanders’ Bronx Rally Proves the Power of Live Campaigning
Bernie Sanders speaks at a rally in St. Mary's Park in the Bronx, March 31, 2016.Andrew Renneisen/Getty Images
Tracy Peguero was shoeless and searching for her other boot.
It was an odd place to lose a boot, of course, standing there in the middle of a public park in the Bronx, surrounded by thousands of strangers. But the boots had about a two-inch heel on them, and Peguero, a 17-year-old student at Mott Haven Village Prep, didnt want them to get in the way of all the jumping up and down and dancing she and her classmates planned to do that night.
For Peguero, this night was a rare opportunity to see a presidential candidatein this case, Democratic candidate Bernie Sandersup close, just blocks away from their high school, and some silly heels werent going to stop her from joining in what was, for many Bronx natives, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
As Pegueros history teacher Melissa Cohen put it, No one ever comes to the South Bronx.
It wasnt the first time I heard that sentiment on Thursday night as 18,500 Sanders supporters gathered in St. Marys Park, waiting for him to take the stage. Things like this dont happen in the Bronx, and I was born and raised here, said Pablo Muriel, another teacher from nearby Alfred E. Smith High School, who brought several dozen students out to the event.
Hes making us visible again, said Dhalimu Robinson, a South Bronx small business owner with an I Heart Bernie pin affixed to his lapel. Hes here during the primary season. Hes not just saying Ill get to them later, and then forgetting about us like every other candidate usually does.
Its true. While primary season may seem long to the rest of us, its still not long enough for candidates to touch every corner of the United States. So, they tend to visit the places where they believe theyll have the most impactthat is, areas with high voter turnout rates or big communities of wealthy donors.
In places that have neither, like the South Bronx, theyve been relying on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other digital channels to communicate with voters. In many ways, these platforms have been revelatory, giving candidates the ability to campaign everywhere by delivering targeted messages to hard-to-reach voters.
But while social media may give candidates the ability to campaign everywhere in the country from anywhere in the country, Sanders event in the Bronx this week proves that in an often overlooked neighborhood like the South Bronx, theres no digital substitute to just showing up.
No other candidate has come to the Bronx to express himself, said Kenny Flores, 17, one of Muriels students. Thats what its about, coming to the Bronx and showing you want to change the world.
According to Muriel, Sanders visit was the talk of the neighborhood in the days leading up to the event, and outside the park, its obvious the area is energized. That afternoon, as a line of people snaked around the park, a group of enterprising grade schoolers stood outside PS 277 soliciting donations for Flint, Michigan on the sidewalk. Later, the corner pizza joint was filled to capacity with Sanders supporters grabbing a last minute slice, and an employee from one local gym handed out flyers, saying, You feel the Bern? Then feel the burn.
As he leaned against a signpost, taking in the neighborhoods sudden transformation, I heard one onlooker shout, Yo! Bernies bringing em in! Bernies doing his thing!
The South Bronx is, in many ways, the encapsulation of Sanders stump speech. Just 10 miles away from Wall Street, the Vermont senators favorite target, more than 40 percent of people live in poverty in the neighborhood of Mott Haven, where the event was held. Just weeks ago, a 20-year old man was murdered in a gang fight in this very park.
By kicking off his New York City campaign here, Sanders made Clintons 1,500 person event at Harlems Apollo theater, where everyone from Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong to Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson has performed, look predictable by comparison.
This is one of the areas of the Bronx where you can see the disparities of income inequality, said Erika Andiola, Sanders national Latino press secretary, who delivered a riveting opening address about her experience as an undocumented immigrant in the United States. You can really see the reality of our country here.
And yet, Sanders central obstacle to winning the New York primary on April 19 will be cutting through the name recognition that former New York Senator Clinton has in this and other predominantly minority neighborhoods in New York. A recent Quinnipiac poll found that 66 percent of black Democrats in New York back Clinton, versus 31 percent for Sanders.
In his opening speech Thursday night, Sanders supporter and director Spike Lee admitted as much, saying, We have to talk to our parents, because the older generation, they on this Clinton thing.
Sure, the Sanders campaign can (and does) spread the word about the senator on social media, but the people of the Bronx could just as easily tune it out. A nearly 19,000 person block party smack in the middle of the Bronx was pretty hard to miss. Whats more, it only fueled the already impressive social media operation the Sanders campaign has built, as thousands of Facebook posts and Tweets shared from the event made the hashtag #BernieIntheBronx start trending.
Estefania Marmolejos, 16, is one of the 1.1 million people who follow Sanders on Instagram. And while she said its been cool to follow the campaign online, in the park she was literally wiggling with excitement, her smile so wide it looked like it probably hurt. Its crazy. I come here every single day, and its just like, a political figure? Here? she said. Its amazing!
Excitement like that is ubiquitous at Sanders events. In fact, one reason why live rallies are so critical to Sanders, in particular, is because of the nature of the campaign he is running. Sanders is fond of saying his campaign is Not about me. Its about you, and anyone whos ever been to one of his events knows that much is true. Whether its at a rally in Iowa City or in the South Bronx, Sanders crowds tend to be as excited by each other as they are by the candidate himself.
By now, they know what Sanders will say. He rarely strays from message. But its the energy of the audience that feels raw and new each timethe kind of energy that makes you want to toss off your shoes in the middle of a public park and jump around.
Try getting that reaction from Twitter.
http://www.wired.com/2016/04/bernie-sanders-bronx-rally-proves-power-live-campaigning/
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Bernie Sanders’ Bronx Rally Proves the Power of Live Campaigning (Original Post)
Jefferson23
Apr 2016
OP
Bernie was asked in the NY radio interview this morning why he chose to start in the South Bronx
BernieforPres2016
Apr 2016
#18
He's a good person, and that's what good guys do..the reception was fantastic. n/t
Jefferson23
Apr 2016
#20
amborin
(16,631 posts)1. Super!
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)2. anyone have any pictures of Bernie talking with New York voters? nt
DisgustipatedinCA
(12,530 posts)13. Here you go
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)16. lol +1
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)19. Lol, pretty sad she's the only one, but well played nt
KoKo
(84,711 posts)3. Recommend!
artislife
(9,497 posts)4. This is pretty good at capturing a little bit of the feeling
I saw him in August, and there was a buzz and excitement. I am sure this event was humming louder and the feeling was even more intense. How great is that?!
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)6. Yea, and why I wanted to post it..glad you had the same feeling. n/t
Avalux
(35,015 posts)5. I got goosebumps reading that - so uplifting!!
Bernie would give a speech in every single neighborhood in the country if he had enough time. Love it.
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)8. It's genuine..he is the real deal and people respond in kind.
glowing
(12,233 posts)7. And I see it's another picture of young white supporters...
LOL. I think they will have to stop spinning that bull hockey...
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)10. Nothing will end that, ever. n/t
MerryBlooms
(11,773 posts)9. Awesome!!
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)11. Close to 19,000 people, not shabby! n/t
MerryBlooms
(11,773 posts)12. Beautiful to see so many excited and engaged.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)14. Spectacular! Love to see young people getting involved.
And a well written article/positive thread, thank you.
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)15. They get it, that's for sure and it is very encouraging.
You're very welcome.
pacalo
(24,721 posts)17. Bernie seems more in tune with NY (or has a better imagination) than Hillary.
By kicking off his New York City campaign here, Sanders made Clintons 1,500 person event at Harlems Apollo theater, where everyone from Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong to Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson has performed, look predictable by comparison.
BernieforPres2016
(3,017 posts)18. Bernie was asked in the NY radio interview this morning why he chose to start in the South Bronx
Bernie said it is one of the poorest areas in the country and he wanted to send the message that as President he is not going to forget about the poor.
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)20. He's a good person, and that's what good guys do..the reception was fantastic. n/t