Bernie Trumps Supporters

Sanders disappoints crowd expecting appearance

The Bernie Sanders rally in Salem, Ore. was a bust for several dozens of supporters this evening; myself included.

It was first rally and I was expecting to go into the Salem Armory Auditorium, sit down, and watch Sanders present his whole presidential campaign speech, but sadly I was mistaken. My initial reaction was disappointment and now I’m feeling trumped.

The doors opened at 4 p.m. and the line had already formed, and that meant you had to have been there for quite a while to get good seats. But nobody could’ve prepared me for the long weaving line and the wait. I arrived at 4:30 p.m. and waited in line until making it to the door at 6:15 p.m. That’s total of an hour and 45 minutes. For me that was too long. Who knows how long others had been actually waiting there.

Anyways, once making it to the door and inside people were rushing to the restrooms and to find seats. I had been waiting so long I had to rush to the restroom like everyone else. Then once out all the doors had been closed off to the auditorium. I had never been to a rally so I had no idea what was going on. So this lead me to ask and I foolishly trusted the people in suits.

I walked down the hall to the courtyard and was put out to pasture of sorts like a cow to graze. Literally that is what it looked like out there. And to make things worse is that nobody knew what what going on. Nobody had information, nobody was organizing the overflow of supporters, and there was a mass of confusion on the faces of several dozens.

Rumor has it that Sanders would make an appearance at some point, but when nobody knew for sure. Sanders supporters gathered in the courtyard awaiting his appearance not knowing if he’d speak to us before or after his main appearance inside the auditorium.

A news anchor from NBC KMTR Eugene, Ore., Anthony Kustura made a live stream to the studio regarding the crowd awaiting the arrival or appearance of Bernie. It was like he was trying to help set the spirit for the crowd. The supporters starting shouting Bernie and it made for great coverage I’m sure. Then it was a wrap for Kustura and he dipped away off into the building that Sanders happened to be using as a safety house. Coincidence, I think not.   

Then a guy can from behind the crowd with food from Jimmy Johns and went through the secret service area towards the secure area, so I initially thought Bernie must be hungry. Moments later I hear cheering and clapping from inside the auditorium; at which point I knew that Bernie was inside and he wasn’t going to make an appearance in the courtyard. We the supporters who were herded like cows were lied to.

As Sanders went on with his speech the doors were opened and the crowd rushed the doors to watch, but that left a limited amount of space for viewing. A lot of supporters left at this point. However, I stayed in hopes that just maybe he would come out afterwards to make an appearance.

After an hour long presidential campaign speech inside the auditorium an uproarious praise was heard while Sanders exited.

Everyone that was in the courtyard waited anxiously for the appearance of Bernie, but nothing. We kept seeing secret service men walk by, we say Bernie supporters who looked like they were with Bernie walk by, but no Bernie. Then off in the distance there was Sanders and secret service men escorting him.

The overflow crowd starting shouting for Bernie, and nothing. All the usual Bernie slogans and nothing. Everyone starting shouting we want to see Bernie. I was feeling burnt myself.

Next thing you know secret service men shut the doors and left. That’s odd, what about Bernie? Then I turned around the police were telling people to leave, but they could stay if they wanted to. Well that is odd, because we were told several times that Bernie was going to make an appearance, and now all of sudden he’s already left.

At this point I’m beyond anger, I’m full blown pissed. I cannot believe that someone who wants my support and the support of others they wouldn’t come make an appearance to the one’s who sat outside and were actually expecting you to show, and were told you would. What kind of people do you have working for you Bernie?!

Someone in the crowd had made an attempt to get some answers, but wasn’t getting anywhere; so as the big mouth I’m I decided to take it into my own hands and speak up. I couldn’t help myself anymore. I waited for hours to see this presidential candidate and this is the treatment I get? Are you really kidding me right now? There were people here who brought their kids, some who were younger than two years old to the rally and they didn’t even to see him. There were even kids who were seriously looking forward to getting pictures with Bernie and that didn’t happen.

How does he expect supporters to support when he can’t even support his supporters? Bernie can you answer that? I bet not, because the likelihood of this ever reaching you is slim. You have disappointed and from the sounds of it when I was leaving the rally several others too. I know that it may actually sway my vote as well.

This rally was the first and could very potentially be my last rally because the experience wasn’t at all what I was expecting. At this point I don’t think I even want to vote.

Blog by Melissa Chandler