Sen. Bernie Sanders makes surprise appearance at Coachella, urges political action

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., made a surprise appearance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival Saturday night.

As part of an introduction to the performer Clairo, Sanders told Coachella attendees that the fate of America lay with the younger generation. He urged younger people to become politically active to fight for progressive causes like universal healthcare, women’s rights and to prevent climate change.

“This country faces some very difficult challenges,” he said. “And the future, what happens to America, is dependent on your generation. And you can turn away and ignore what goes on, but if you do that, you do that at your own peril.”

With him, Sanders brought U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, a congressman from Florida’s 10th Congressional District, which includes Orlando, who, at 28, is the youngest member of Congress.

Sanders apparently brought Frost to inspire the festivalgoers with a person of a similar age.

“We need you to fight for justice, to fight for economic justice, social justice and racial justice.” he told the crowd of thousands, who had arrived at the Empire Polo Club for the second day of Coachella. “We’ve got a president of the United States…”

Many people in the crowd interrupted Sanders to yell obscenities. Sanders waited a moment before saying, “I agree.”

“He thinks that climate change is a hoax,” Sanders continued, referring to President Donald Trump. “He is dangerously wrong.”

Attendees were largely supportive of Sanders during his roughly four-minute speech. They frequently cheered his statements, cheering especially loudly when he urged the crowd to support women’s rights.

Sanders, an independent senator for Vermont with strong ties to the Democratic Party, is well known for his stances on reducing economic inequality. He brought up that topic Saturday night as well.

“We have an economy today that is working very well for the millionaire class, but not for working families,” he said. “We need you to help us in creating an economy that works well for everybody.”

Although not the only politician to speak onstage at Coachella, he is likely the most prominent in festival history. Sanders’ appearance, which occurred at around 8:15 p.m., was largely unexpected. Many people rushed toward the stage as soon as his name was called over the loudspeakers.

He said he appeared with Clairo because the musician had used her prominence to fight for women’s rights and bring an end to the war in Gaza.

“So I want to thank Clairo not only for being in a great band, but the great work she is doing,” he concluded before ushering her and her band onstage.

Earlier in the day Saturday, Sanders co-led a rally in Los Angeles with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., that was attended by thousands of people dissatisfied with President Donald Trump. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are currently on the “Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go from Here” tour.

(This story was updated to add information.)

Sam Morgen covers the city of Palm Springs for The Desert Sun. Reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Bernie Sanders Coachella: Vermont senator brings politics to festival