Bernie Sanders speech at No Kings protest blasts Donald Trump, Iran war and affordability

[0:01] There are a lot of people here. [0:09] Thank you, Minnesota. [0:11] And let me thank In the Visible, MoveOn, 5051, and all of the organizations that have made this great event possible. [0:24] And thanks to the millions of Americans from our smallest towns to our largest cities in every state in our country who are gathering today at thousands of rallies. [0:46] It is absolutely appropriate that we hold a major No Kings Rally right here in the St. Paul, Minneapolis area. [1:07] We're in history. [1:08] Historians write about this dangerous moment in American history. [1:15] When they write about courage and sacrifice, the people of Minnesota will deserve a special chapter for themselves. [1:26] In the face of unprecedented occupation of this city by ICE, Trump's domestic army, this community stood up. [1:46] And with extraordinary solidarity, fought back and won. [1:52] Minnesota showed the American people, and in fact the world, what democracy is about, what grassroots activism is about, and what standing up for the American ideals of freedom and justice is about. [2:17] And I want to thank my colleagues, Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith. [2:26] For their leadership in the Senate on this issue. [2:30] And today we remember and honor two brave Americans, Renee Goode and Alex Preddy, who lost their lives in the struggle. [2:47] And we promise their families and their friends that these two heroes will not have died in vain. [2:59] Their sacrifice has inspired. [3:08] And will continue to inspire the American people in the never-ending struggle for justice. [3:17] As all of you know, we are living in an unprecedented and dangerous moment in American history. [3:32] In many ways, the future of our country, and in fact the entire world, is hanging in the balance. [3:43] And the actions that we take. [3:46] Now will determine what the future looks like. [3:52] The choices that we face are clear. [3:57] In the wealthiest country in the history of the world, at a time of massive breakthroughs in technology, we now have the opportunity to create a nation in which all people can enjoy a dignified standard of living. [4:20] Where we wipe out the impoverished. [4:21] Where we wipe out bigotry and hatred. [4:23] And where all of us can live in peace and participate in a vibrant democracy. [4:42] Where the foundation of our nation is built on love, compassion, human solidarity, and an understanding. [4:53] As your great former senator, the late Paul Wellstone, said, [5:00] We all do. [5:06] We do better when we all do better. [5:16] And that is one vision for the future. [5:22] A vision that, in my view, the vast majority of the American people share. [5:30] But there is another vision out there as well. [5:36] A darker vision. [5:38] It is a vision which says that we must give up on democracy. [5:45] We are too stupid and inept to govern ourselves. [5:50] And that we must put more and more power into the hands of one man. [6:03] It is a vision that says we should accept an economy in which a handful of oligarchs have unbelievable wealth. [6:15] While the vast majority of our people struggle to put food on the table. [6:20] It is a vision that says that the only thing that matters in life is the accumulation of money and power. [6:34] And that it is okay if we lie, cheat, and steal to achieve those goals. [6:47] It is a vision which says that we must hate each other because of where we were born. [6:58] Hate each other because of a different language. [7:03] That someone speaks. [7:06] Hate each other because of the differences in the color of our skin. [7:12] Or our religion or our sexual orientation. [7:18] It is a vision that foments hatred and hatred and hatred. [7:26] Division, division and division. [7:30] It is an Orwellian vision. [7:36] Which says that we must live in a country. [7:39] That we must live in a constant state of fear. [7:44] That we must always have an enemy. [7:48] And that we must always be at war. [7:55] It is a vision which says that we have unlimited amounts of money for bombs and guns and killing. [8:06] But never enough money to feed our children. [8:10] Provide affordable housing. [8:12] Or enable our parents to retire with dignity. [8:17] Today, here in Minnesota, in Vermont, and in every state in the country. [8:27] We say loudly and proudly that as Americans we will never forsake our heritage. [8:35] We will never accept authoritarianism. [8:40] We will never accept oligarchy. [8:45] And we will never accept a presidency. [8:51] A president who is a pathological liar. [8:55] A kleptocrat. [8:58] And a narcissist who is undermining the constitution of the United States. [9:06] And the rule of law every day. [9:09] We will never accept government policy that gives massive tax breaks to billionaires. [9:23] Throws 15 million Americans off the healthcare they have. [9:30] Breaks unions. [9:35] Denies women the right to control their own bodies. [9:40] And is pushing the planet closer and closer to a climate crisis. [9:53] In the last year, I must confess, I've been thinking a lot about American history. [9:59] About the men and women in 1776. [10:05] Who, with unbelievable courage, announced to the world that they would no longer be ruled. [10:13] By the King of England. [10:15] Who had absolute power over their lives. [10:20] These patriots demanded freedom. [10:25] And they fought a bloody revolutionary war against the most powerful military in the world. [10:33] To achieve that freedom. [10:36] And they won. [10:38] And after their military victory. [10:46] They established the first. [10:49] Democratic form of government. [10:52] In modern history. [10:54] In 1789. [10:58] They said loudly and boldly to the entire world. [11:03] Here in this new nation of America. [11:08] We. [11:09] Don't. [11:10] Want. [11:11] Kings. [11:12] And let us never forget the extraordinary and powerful words they left to us. [11:24] Quote. [11:25] We hold these truths to be self-evident. [11:28] That all men are created equal as they are endowed by their creator. [11:35] With certain unalienable rights. [11:38] That among these are life. [11:40] Liberty. [11:41] And the pursuit of happiness. [11:43] And today. [11:51] In 2026. [11:53] Our message. [11:55] Is exactly the same. [11:58] No. [11:59] More. [12:00] Kings. [12:01] We will not allow this country. [12:08] To descend. [12:10] Into authoritarianism. [12:12] Or oligarchy. [12:14] In America. [12:16] We the people. [12:18] Will rule. [12:19] But let us be clear. [12:28] This moment is not just. [12:32] About one man's greed. [12:34] One man's corruption. [12:37] Or one man's contempt. [12:40] For our constitution. [12:43] This is about a handful. [12:45] Of the wealthiest people on earth. [12:47] Who in their insatiable greed. [12:51] Have taken over our economy. [12:54] Have taken over our political system. [12:57] Have taken over our media. [13:01] In order to enrich themselves. [13:04] At the expense. [13:06] Of the working families. [13:08] Of our country. [13:09] Brothers and sisters. [13:14] Never before in American history. [13:16] Have so few. [13:18] Had so much wealth. [13:21] And so much power. [13:22] Never before in American history. [13:25] Has there been such extreme levels. [13:27] Of income and wealth. [13:29] Inequality. [13:31] With the top 1%. [13:34] Now owning. [13:36] If you can believe it. [13:38] More wealth. [13:40] Than the bottom 93%. [13:42] Never before. [13:49] In American history. [13:51] Had we seen the super rich. [13:53] Expand their wealth. [13:55] So rapidly. [13:57] Last year alone. [13:58] After receiving. [14:00] The largest tax break. [14:02] In history. [14:05] 938 billionaires. [14:07] In America. [14:09] Fewer than 1000 people. [14:11] Became. [14:13] 1.5 trillion dollars. [14:15] Richer. [14:17] Our president. [14:24] Honest Donald Trump. [14:26] Became over a billion dollars. [14:28] Richer himself. [14:30] Never before in American history. [14:36] Have we seen. [14:38] A ruling class. [14:40] Within a corrupt campaign. [14:42] Finance system. [14:44] Spend so much money. [14:46] To buy politicians. [14:48] In the coming midterm elections. [14:50] The billionaires. [14:52] Will spend many. [14:54] Many hundreds. [14:56] Of millions of dollars. [14:59] To make sure that government. [15:01] Continues to work. [15:03] For them. [15:05] And not working families. [15:10] While. [15:12] While the richest people in America. [15:14] Become much much richer. [15:16] 60% of our people. [15:18] Here in Minnesota. [15:21] In Vermont. [15:23] And all over this country. [15:25] Are living paycheck to paycheck. [15:28] Struggling to put food on the table. [15:31] Struggling to pay their rent. [15:33] And their mortgage. [15:35] Struggling to pay for child care. [15:37] And education. [15:39] And struggling to put a few bucks aside. [15:42] For a decent retirement. [15:45] In America today. [15:47] Tens of thousands of our people. [15:49] Die every year. [15:51] Unnecessarily. [15:53] Because they cannot afford. [15:55] To go to a doctor. [16:01] And unless we change. [16:03] How our economy works. [16:05] Our younger generation. [16:07] Our kids. [16:09] For the first time in modern history. [16:11] Will have a lower. [16:13] Standard of living. [16:15] Than their parents. [16:21] Today. [16:23] We not only say. [16:25] No to Trump's authoritarianism. [16:27] We say no. [16:29] To Mr. Musk. [16:34] No to Mr. Bezos. [16:36] And Mr. Zuckerberg. [16:38] And Mr. Allison. [16:41] And all the other multi billionaires. [16:43] You cannot. [16:46] Have it all. [16:48] We will create an economy. [16:50] That works for all Americans. [16:52] Not just the 1%. [16:54] Brothers and sisters. [17:02] It is not just. [17:05] The authoritarianism. [17:07] Of the Trump administration. [17:09] That we must combat. [17:12] It is not just the oligarchs. [17:14] And their insatiable greed. [17:16] That we must combat. [17:18] Now as the news. [17:21] Literally of today. [17:23] Reminds us. [17:25] We have got to stop. [17:27] The out of control militarism. [17:29] Of the Trump administration. [17:31] Whether it is here. [17:33] At home. [17:35] Minneapolis. [17:37] And St. Paul. [17:46] Or abroad. [17:48] Let us be honest. [17:50] The American people were lied to. [17:53] About the war in Vietnam. [17:56] We were lied to. [17:58] About the war in Iraq. [18:02] And we are being lied to today. [18:04] About the war in Iran. [18:06] This war. [18:12] Must end immediately. [18:14] In the last election. [18:21] Donald Trump pointed out correctly. [18:23] The huge amounts. [18:25] Of money. [18:27] That had been wasted in wars. [18:29] That should have been spent. [18:31] Rebuilding America. [18:33] He campaigned as a peace candidate. [18:35] And he promised. [18:38] No more forever wars. [18:40] He lied. [18:46] One month ago. [18:48] Trump and his partner. [18:50] Israeli Prime Minister. [18:52] Benjamin Netanyahu. [18:58] Started a war with Iran. [19:01] This war is unconstitutional. [19:03] Trump did not see. [19:05] Or receive. [19:08] Authorization from Congress. [19:10] This war is a violation. [19:12] Of international law. [19:14] One sovereign nation. [19:16] Cannot simply go about. [19:18] Attacking another. [19:20] Sovereign nation. [19:22] For any reason. [19:24] It chooses. [19:33] Since this war began. [19:36] 13 American soldiers. [19:38] Have been killed. [19:40] And hundreds have been wounded. [19:42] Including another 12. [19:44] In Iran. [19:48] Nearly 2,000 civilians. [19:50] Have been killed. [19:52] And many more wounded. [19:54] And 498 schools. [19:56] Have been bombed. [19:58] By American. [20:00] And Israeli missiles. [20:06] In Lebanon. [20:08] More than a thousand people. [20:10] Are dead. [20:12] And more than 1 million. [20:14] Lebanese people. [20:16] 15% of their population. [20:18] Have been displaced. [20:20] From their homes. [20:25] In Israel. [20:27] 20 people have been killed. [20:29] And over 5,000 wounded. [20:31] In the West Bank. [20:33] Israeli vigilantes. [20:35] Are burning down homes. [20:37] And killing Palestinians. [20:42] At a time when gas prices. [20:44] Are soaring. [20:46] When many Americans. [20:48] Cannot afford the basic. [20:50] Necessities of life. [20:52] It is estimated. [20:54] That this war. [20:56] Will cost millions of dollars. [21:03] At a time. [21:05] When the American people. [21:08] Are politically divided. [21:10] There is one issue. [21:13] That is bringing us together. [21:15] Conservatives. [21:17] Moderates. [21:19] And progressives. [21:21] Are speaking out in unison. [21:23] End this war. [21:45] And as a U.S. [21:48] Senator. [21:51] I want to just mention to you. [21:53] That at first. [21:55] We have got to make sure. [21:58] That Congress does not send. [22:00] Another 200 billion dollars. [22:02] To fight this war. [22:04] Trump's supplemental appropriation. [22:08] For the war in Iran. [22:10] Must be defeated. [22:12] Secondly. [22:18] I will be forcing a vote. [22:20] In the Senate. [22:23] On legislation to block the sale. [22:25] Of nearly a billion dollars in weapons. [22:27] To the Israeli military. [22:29] For bombs. [22:31] In Gaza. [22:38] A nation. [22:41] A government that has committed. [22:43] Genocide in Gaza. [22:45] Does not need. [22:47] More military support. [22:55] From American taxpayers. [22:57] My fellow Americans. [22:59] We are all proud to live in a country. [23:01] Which throughout our history. [23:04] Has inspired people. [23:06] Throughout the world. [23:08] To struggle for freedom. [23:10] For democracy. [23:13] And justice. [23:15] When we stand together. [23:18] And not let demagogues. [23:20] Divide us up. [23:22] We can continue. [23:24] To inspire the world. [23:26] To believe in a brighter future. [23:28] Yes. [23:37] We can create. [23:39] A vibrant democracy. [23:41] By ending citizens united. [23:43] And not allow billionaires. [23:45] To buy elections. [23:52] Yes. [23:54] We can create an economy. [23:56] That works for every man. [23:58] In this country. [24:00] And not just. [24:02] A handful of billionaires. [24:08] Yes. [24:10] We can make certain. [24:12] That the revolutionary technologies. [24:14] Of artificial intelligence. [24:16] And robotics. [24:18] Are used to improve life. [24:20] For all of us. [24:22] And not just make. [24:24] The rich owners of that technology. [24:29] Even richer. [24:31] Yes. [24:33] We can create a world. [24:35] Of the industrialized world. [24:37] And guarantee healthcare. [24:39] As a human right. [24:46] For all of our people. [24:48] Yes. [24:50] Instead of spending. [24:52] A trillion dollars a year. [24:54] On the military. [24:56] We can wipe out homelessness. [24:58] And build millions of units. [25:03] Of low income. [25:05] And affordable housing. [25:07] Yes. [25:09] We can create a system. [25:11] In the world. [25:13] Tuition free. [25:15] From childcare. [25:21] To graduate school. [25:23] Yes. [25:25] We can expand social security. [25:27] And radically improve our pension system. [25:29] So that every senior in America. [25:35] Can retire with dignity. [25:37] Yes. [25:39] We can raise the minimum wage. [25:41] To a living wage. [25:43] And guarantee every worker. [25:49] The right to join a union. [25:51] In this country. [25:53] Has the right. [25:55] To control her own body. [26:03] And yes. [26:05] When billionaires are paying. [26:07] An effective tax rate. [26:09] Lower than a truck driver. [26:12] Or a nurse. [26:14] We can and must make certain. [26:16] That the top 1%. [26:18] And large profitable corporations. [26:20] Start paying. [26:27] Their fair share of taxes. [26:29] My fellow Americans. [26:33] The establishment. [26:35] And many of my colleagues. [26:37] In Congress. [26:40] Want you to believe. [26:42] That you are powerless. [26:45] They want you to believe. [26:47] That you cannot change. [26:49] The status quo. [26:51] That because of their wealth. [26:53] And their influence. [26:56] There is nothing you can do. [26:58] To combat them. [27:00] But that is a lie. [27:05] Throughout the history. [27:07] Of our country. [27:09] They have stood up. [27:11] And fought for justice. [27:15] They have prevailed. [27:17] The founders of our country. [27:19] Did it. [27:21] When they stood up to King George. [27:23] The abolitionists did it. [27:26] When they ended slavery. [27:28] The working class did it. [27:30] When they stood up to their bosses. [27:34] And formed unions. [27:36] The suffragettes did it. [27:38] When they demanded that women. [27:42] Have the right to vote. [27:44] When they demanded. [27:46] Basic human rights. [27:52] Time and time again. [27:54] In difficult moments. [27:56] In American history. [27:58] Our people stood up. [28:01] Fought back. [28:05] And won. [28:07] They did it then. [28:09] We can and will do it now. [28:16] Today March 28th. [28:19] 2026. [28:21] Millions of Americans. [28:23] Are out on the street. [28:25] Demanding freedom. [28:28] And justice. [28:31] But we must make certain. [28:33] Today is not. [28:35] The end of our struggle. [28:37] It is the beginning. [28:44] Together. [28:46] When we stand united. [28:48] We can and will. [28:50] Create the kind of nation. [28:53] That you and I know. [28:55] That we can become. [28:57] Thank you all very much. [29:08] And now. [29:10] Please welcome to the stage.