Bernie Sanders took on Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, multinational corporations and economic inequality in a rousing populist speech on the New Haven Green. Playing to the youthful audience of thousands gathered on the New Haven Green, Sanders wide ranging remarks focused heavily on a "rigged economy," where the middle class subsidize wealthy corporations. "Brothers and sisters," Sanders said, "we are going to change our national priorities." "We need an economy that works for all of us, not just the 1 percent,'' Sanders said, calling New Haven a metaphor for what is happening in the United States, pointing out the disparty between wealthy Yale University and poor children in the city. "Do not get your head into an austerity way of thinking that we can cut this and cut that. We don't have to do that,'' Sanders said. Enough is enough. To the cheers of a crowd estimated at 14,000, an expansive Sanders delivered his standard stump speech that lasted more than an hour, touching on the entire liberal agenda -- from taxing corporations to the Iraq war to the environment to affordable housing to a $15 minimum wage, student loans and the "so-called war on drugs." Bernie Sanders Holds Rally On New Haven Green Bernie Sanders made his first campaign stop in Connecticut Sunday with a rally on the New Haven Green. (Cloe Poisson) "Instead of giving tax breaks to millionaires, we are going to rebuild our inner cities," said Sanders, before moving on to a blistering criticism of Clinton's accepting large Super PAC donations and for not releasing transcripts of her speeches to Wall Street corporations. Sanders, who has been relentlessly criticized by Clinton over gun control, noted that treating the mentally ill would be a priority in his administration. "I'm not quite sure why your governor has cut mental health treatment in the state of Connecticut. We need to expand that treatment,'' he said. Sanders Supporter Nico DeRuiter Caption Sanders Supporter Nico DeRuiter Bernie Sanders Delivers Speech At New Haven Rally Caption Bernie Sanders Delivers Speech At New Haven Rally Sanders, trailing in state polls and in the national delegate race leading up to the Democratic National Convention, faces a nearly must-win scenario for the Connecticut primary Tuesday. The day began under bright sunshine and blue skies as thousands of supporters gathered in the late afternoon in anticipation of Sanders speech. At the rally, organizers with clipboards sought volunteers to help a get-out-the-vote push on Tuesday while Sanders supporters carried home-made signs. As the crowds began to arrive, Sanders was walking around shaking hands with people. "I got close to him and I screamed like a Beatles fan," said Nora Kaszuba, of Norwich. "I felt like I was touching a rock star." "I love his rhetoric about free public college for all and health care and I hope he speaks about both issues today." The evening began with remarks by Michael Stipe, former lead singer with the the rock band REM. "This is our moment,'' he said. Sen. Gary Winfield of New Haven told the crowd to keep achieving its dreams and believe in the dream of a Sanders victory. New Haven Parks Director Rebecca Bombero estimated the crowd on the green at 14,000. As he walked toward the New Haven Green before the rally was set to start, Justin Lamoureux said the Vermont senator's platform reflects the hopes of his generation. "A lot of politicians have lost touch with reality," said the 14-year-old from Berlin. My generation is going to have to clean up the mess." Adrian Bravo, 22, from New Haven, said, "I really like his core message that not everything should go to the highest bidder. It should be by the people for the people.'' Bravo said he was unlikely to support Hillary – unless she aligned more closely with Bernie's message. Lindsay Farrell, executive director of the Connecticut Working Families Party, looked out at the gathering crowd and noted, "this is what he does everywhere he goes."

• published: 25 Apr 2016
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