At Homecoming Rally in Montpelier, Bernie Sanders Thanks Vermont
POSTED BY PAUL HEINTZ ON SAT, MAY 25, 2019 AT 11:26 PM
Excerpts:
At a rally on the Statehouse lawn, Sanders thanked "the people of the state of Vermont, who have given me an opportunity that, when I was a kid, I never would've dreamed of in a million years." Serving as mayor of Burlington and then in the U.S. House and Senate had been "the honor of my life," he said, "and I thank you all."
Sanders used his Montpelier homecoming to hail "the history of our small but proud state," asserting that it had "held its head high in the struggle for human freedom and justice." He also used it to highlight his own accomplishments in Vermont: helping to establish the Burlington Community Land Trust, build a network of community health centers and improve care for veterans.
Though the crowd of 3,000 people did not match the 5,000 who turned out for Sanders' 2016 campaign kickoff in Burlington's Waterfront Park, there was plenty of enthusiasm to go around.
Saturdays rally was well attended by Sanders alumni and veterans of Vermonts progressive movement. A number of state legislators occupied a VIP section in front, including Sen. Anthony Pollina (P/D-Washington).
After the rally, Brookline, Mass., resident Anne Burns said that she found Sanders address fantastic, absolutely wonderful. She was particularly struck by how consistent his message has been over the years. He hasnt changed, said Burns, who owns a second home in Vermont and spends weekends in the state. A lot of the things that the other candidates are copying are what Bernie said for many years. Hes worked for people all along and he hasnt stopped and he wont stop.
https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2019/05/25/at-homecoming-rally-in-montpelier-bernie-sanders-thanks-vermont