PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Thousands of people crowded the streets around Philadelphia City Hall Thursday afternoon as U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders was in town for a massive May Day rally that marked the historic struggle of U.S. labor movements and called out the current Trump administration for its perceived favor of billionaires.
In his speech at City Hall, Sanders equated the current administration to an oligarchy and pointed to the growing wealth gap in the country.
“In the year 2025 in America, we are now living in an oligarchic form of society,” he said. “Never before in our history have so few had so much wealth, while so many Americans are struggling.”
Sanders drove home his point by discussing President Donald Trump’s inauguration, attended by three richest men in America —- Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg —- who all sat behind the president as he gave his inaugural address.
“Donald Trump has made it very clear what we are talking about when we talk about oligarchy,” he said. “He doesn’t hide it.”
The Vermont Senator also attacked Trump’s appointees to head various departments, some of whom are also billionaires.
Joining Sanders to speak in the city were representatives of many Philadelphia chapters of national unions, and other workers rights organizations. They, like Sanders, also touched on the importance of social security, health care and other government benefits they said are now under threat with Trump in office.
A march, a sit-in, and 70 arrests
A march throughout Center City followed the speeches. Around 6:30 p.m., some marchers ended up at Broad and Vine Streets, where they sat in the middle of the busy intersection, blocking traffic. Police initially allowed them to stay, but officials said 70 were eventually arrested after they did not move.
Sanders’ trip to Philadelphia for May Day comes amid a country-wide tour for the U.S. Senator he’s called the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, which has seen him hit stages and gather thousands from Coachella to Montana.
On Friday night, Sanders will hit Harrisburg and will be at Lehigh University on Saturday to continue the tour.