Bernie Sanders Stops in San Diego for 2020 Campaign Tour; Garners Support From Younger Generations.

Bernie Sanders

On Friday, March 22, Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders set off his 2020 campaign with a rally in Downtown San Diego addressing economic and social issues to a crowd of more than 6,400 people. This is Sanders’ second campaign visit to San Diego since his 2016 campaign.  Similar to before, the rally held Downtown drew a diverse and energetic crowd of supporters.

The Vermont Senator has been very outspoken about his Progressive policies since his 2016 Presidential campaign trail. Today, Sanders remains a staunch advocate for raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, universal health care, and free public college as well as significantly reducing student debt. These policies have been popular amongst his followers. Sanders initially directed his speech towards the younger people in the crowd by referencing the need for quality education in the U.S.

“Good jobs require a good education. That is why we are going to make public colleges and universities tuition-free, and substantially lower the outrageous level of student debt that currently exists.”

Bernie Sanders

But Sanders knew his message couldn’t entirely focus on the younger generations. He then honored the historical significance of the rally in an aside.

“Given the fact that FDR was one of the great presidents in the history of our country, I am honored to be here in this very spot 80 years later.”

Bernie Sanders

By the end of the speech Sanders, told the crowd that he has not forgotten his experience of when his family lived paycheck to paycheck, and how he will always remember where he came from.

Janice Ocampo, a USD student, attended the event and said that the rally was important to her. “I am middle class and come from an immigrant family and so I need to understand and have a better perspective on how I fit in in all of this and transform our nation for the better.” Ocampo said.

Ocampo said that Sander’s policies were ideal and feels pretty strong about them, “All of them I really agree with, from immigration, health care, women’s rights and of course public education for us.”

Michelle Mendoza, a 26 year old San Diego resident, stated her ideological connection to Sanders: “What attracts me about Bernie Sanders is that he is one with the people; He understands and also gives good points about what it’s like for the average American not just the one percent.” said Mendoza.

“Thank you for being part of a campaign which is not only going to carry California, which is going to win the Democratic nomination, which is not only going to defeat Donald Trump, the most dangerous president in the modern history of our country – but with your help we are going to transform this country… When we are in the White House, we are going to enact what Franklin Delano Roosevelt talked about… We are going to guarantee a job to everyone who is able to work in this country. We need to rebuild our infrastructure, we need to transform our energy system… There is more than enough work to be done in this country. Let’s go out and do it.” said Sanders. ”

Bernie Sanders acknowledgingthe crowd in Downtown.
Written by: Marco Arreola

National Emergency Takes a Toll On SDSU Students

Border wall prototypes being built along the San Diego-Mexico border after the national emergency was called.

On Feb. 15, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency concerning America’s borders; this executive action poses concerns for SDSU students.

Due to the building of the border wall after Trump declared a national emergency, SDSU students who live in Mexico had their morning commutes extended. Dulce Sanchez, a junior and commuter from Tijuana, said her commute has been impacted by the building of the wall due to increased security and lane closures.

This has affected me more as a commuter, because now they close many lanes at the border to be able to revise the cars/persons more in depth, which takes a long time and long lines,” said Sanchez.

Kim Marbella, a Junior and Liberal Studies major, faces similar conditions and is concerned about the national emergency. “I feel like immigration officers have gotten stricter and make slow progress when crossing the border,” said Marbella.

So far Congress has approved 1.4 billion dollars for the wall.  However, under the national emergency, President Trump hopes to get an additional 6.5 billion dollars to fund the border wall. Trump cited the primary reason for the wall is, “…an invasion of our country with drugs, human traffickers, with all types of criminals and gangs.”

Sanchez said that Trump’s reason is unjustifiable, “I believe he is overreacting, but if he feels that building a wall would make the U.S. safer, and a better place, then he has all the right to do what he thinks is better for the country.”

“Unfortunately, to build this wall will cost millions of dollars that could be invested in other areas to help the country,” said Sanchez.

Public Domain: U.S Customs and Border Protection

Additionally, Trump’s views on immigration is another idea that has gained him supporters on the border wall. The wall that would be built would be designed to prevent illegal immigration in the U.S. It has been an idea that has won him many supporters since immigration is a very important issue to many Americans.

Sanchez does not believe that a wall will stop illegal immigration, “People have found ways to cross the border illegally in the past and will continue to find other ways if the wall actually happens.”

A  2018 poll conducted in mid-November found that 59 percent of Americans disagree with Trump’s plan to build the wall. Additionally, the poll cites that 79 percent of Republicans support the wall.

In a New York Times article, on Feb. 18, 16 states challenged President Trump’s emergency declaration for the funding of the border wall.  A federal lawsuit was filed in Federal District Court in San Francisco by states ran by Democratic governors, except  Maryland. The suit argues that the President does not have the authority to redirect funds for the wall when Congress is the ultimate and final authority on government spending.

Mabella said that the national emergency is ridiculous, “He [Trump]  is wasting his time and taxpayers money on a foolish national emergency when sincerely nothing of actual emergency is happening.”

Written by: Marco Arreola