By: Margot Dragos
On Saturday, Sept. 6, Senator Bernie Sanders brought his nationwide “Fighting Oligarchy” tour to Brooklyn College’s (BC) Claire Tow Theater alongside Democratic nominee for New York City (NYC) mayor Zohran Mamdani.
An oligarchy is defined as a small group of people having control over a country, organization, or institution. Sanders’ tour encourages dialogue between Americans on how to take power from the corporate interests and put it back into the hands of the American people. BC served as the tour’s 35th stop.
Sanders is a BC alum and has held three other events on campus, the last one being in 2020 when he launched his second campaign for President of the United States. Students were hoping his connection with BC, as well as his fight against oligarchy, would cause him to bring up certain issues happening on campus.
“I wanted to see what they had to say in regards to fighting oligarchy,” began Ashley Torres, a graduate student at BC. “I know there is a lot of talk about the Fired Four, and I wanted to see if that’s going to be something that they address, considering that Bernie Sanders had went to Brooklyn College.”
The Fired Four are four BC adjunct faculty members who were fired after participating in protests in support of Palestine. Groups such as the Professional Staff Congress (PSC-CUNY), a union for CUNY staff and faculty, have been fighting to reinstate these individuals’ positions.
Members of PSC-CUNY, as well as other unions, were some of the people who packed into the Claire Tow Theater. These groups occupied the front orchestra section of the theater along with various other ticket holders who received blue wristbands upon arrival. The rear orchestra consisted largely of those with press passes and others with blue wristbands.
In the mezzanine and front balcony were seats set aside by the Sanders team for BC students, who received an email invitation to the event two days prior. This was upsetting to some BC students who believed they should have been given better seating.
“I’m already kind of disappointed because we’re Brooklyn College students and we’re sitting in the back,” Jonathan Rakhamimov, a BC graduate student, told The Vanguard.“I feel like there’s really no room for us to have a debate…or even engage with him,” continued Torres.
When Sanders and Mamdani took to the stage, they were greeted with a standing ovation as they waved to the crowd. The pair then sat down in their respective chairs. Shortly after, Mamdani exclaimed, “Is PSC-CUNY in the house?”
“I cannot begin my remarks this evening without first acknowledging PSC-CUNY,” Mamdani began. “And the fact that no faculty member should be disciplined for supporting Palestinian human rights.”
The crowd erupted with applause, with some chanting “Free, Free Palestine!”
Mamdani went on to express his appreciation for Sanders’ work and that NYC should not be led by oligarchs.
“New York City is not for sale to Donald Trump’s billionaire donors. It is not for sale to corporations like DoorDash. It is not for sale to corrupt politicians like Andrew Cuomo,” Mamdani declared.
“[…] And Bernie has continued to lead in this movement, going from ‘Burlington is not for sale’ to fighting back against oligarchy from coast to coast in this country.”
In Sanders’ remarks, he applauded Mamdani’s campaign and linked it to the overarching theme of fighting oligarchs in the United States.
“You know what [the oligarchs] are afraid of? They’re afraid of Mr. Mamdani becoming an example to what could happen all over this country,” Sanders proclaimed. “[…] If 50 to 70,000 people can get involved in the political process, that means that millions of people coast to coast can get involved and elect progressive leaders. That’s what this campaign is about.”
Sanders then opened up the room for questions.
One question was from Dionna, a mother and Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member who spends over $32,000 a year on childcare, who wanted to know what Mamdani needed people like her to do to fight for free universal childcare.
“We need to feel the depth of these statistics we often feel numb to,” Mamdani told the crowd. “Over $32,000, that is more money than if Dionna sent that same kid 18 years from now to Brooklyn College.”
He went on to encourage her and others to continue organizing and joining organizations, such as DSA, that are committed to enacting change.
Afterwards, yelling could be heard from the mezzanine as students declared that they wanted to ask questions as well.
Phrases like “The students want to speak” rang throughout the theatre from the now-standing students.
After another question, a mic was finally brought to the BC student section, where students yielded the mic to Danya, a Jewish BC student and trans woman who brought up the Fired Four and the encampment on campus last May.
“We as the students have been targeted time and time again, not just by the administration but by the faculty who are against us,” Danya proclaimed. “I refuse to let the fact that Mr. Mamdani’s team has put us, Brooklyn College, in the very back with black wristbands…when we should be up front.”
“Thank you for bringing this up,” Mamdani responded. He then invited those in the crowd who were PSC-CUNY members or BC students to stand up.
He also asked James Davis, the head of PSC-CUNY, if he could wear his hat for a moment. Davis brought his hat up to the stage, and Mamdani put it on as the crowd cheered.
“I wear this hat…because the point that is being raised is that we are seeing faculty members who are facing…termination for the crime of expressing solidarity with the fight for Palestinian human rights,” Mamdani explained. “The incident around encampments here at Brooklyn College, the decision to surge officers into that site is one that leaves students less safe than they were before.”
“I will be committed to delivering actual safety, not to the use of the term as a means of repression,” Mamdani declared. “And so this commitment is one that I do not just make as a candidate. It is one I will fulfill as the mayor of this city.”
The event ended with a message of hope from Sanders.
“I think what we have heard tonight from the questions, from Zohran, from me [is that] these are unprecedented and difficult moments in our history,” Sanders began.
“But you know what? This country has gone through difficult moments in the past…Let us stand together, let us defeat oligarchy and make New York and America the places we know they can become.”
For more information about Sanders’ Tour, visit his official tour website.
For more information about Mamdani’s Mayoral campaign, visit his official Instagram.