Missoula, MT — In a powerful call to action on Wednesday, several thousand attendees gathered at the Adams Center for the latest stop on the “Fighting Oligarchy Tour,” headlined by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The two progressive leaders emphasized a critical message: the United States faces a fundamental choice between preserving democracy or allowing extreme wealth inequality to erode it.
The rally drew a capacity crowd as Sanders took the stage, declaring, “We believe in democracy, not authoritarianism.” With his signature fiery rhetoric, he called out the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few individuals, most notably targeting billionaire Elon Musk. Sanders criticized the growing economic divide, stating, “It is not good enough for them that Musk owns more wealth than the bottom 56% of households. It’s not good enough for them that the top 1% owns more wealth than the bottom 90%. Not good enough.”
Ocasio-Cortez echoed Sanders’ sentiments, amplifying the call for systemic change. “Time after time, we’ve seen how our government and laws are more responsive to corporations and lobbyists than to the will of everyday people and voters,” she said, drawing attention to the increasing influence of money in politics. The congresswoman, known for her impassioned speeches, pointed out that Montana was no exception to this pattern, specifically mentioning the powerful crypto lobby and the influx of dark money trying to sway local elections.
The message was clear: the concentration of wealth is not just a national issue but one that affects every state, including Montana. Ocasio-Cortez directly addressed the crowd, stressing the urgency of the moment. “We are at a crossroads, Montana. We can either have extreme wealth inequality with the toxic division and corruption that it requires to survive, or we can have a fair economy for working people along with the democracy and freedoms that uphold it. Oligarchy or democracy. But we cannot have both,” she warned.
Both lawmakers focused heavily on the corruption they believe is rooted in the current political system. Sanders framed the ongoing battle as not just about fighting former President Donald Trump but about a deeper struggle to reclaim an economy that serves all Americans. “In the wealthiest country in the history of the world, we can do a hell of a lot better than having an oligarchy,” Sanders said.
Before the two main speakers, several others took the stage to reinforce the themes of wealth inequality and political corruption. These speakers encouraged attendees to take action—whether by reaching out to their congressional representatives, participating in protests, or supporting strikes. The rally’s message was clear: action is needed to reverse the trend of oligarchic influence in American politics.
The event in Missoula was part of a larger effort by Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez to rally support for progressive policies aimed at reducing economic inequality and curbing the influence of money in politics. Their message resonates with many who feel that the political system favors the rich and powerful at the expense of ordinary citizens.
As the tour continues, it remains to be seen whether their calls for systemic change will gain enough momentum to influence the political conversation on a national scale. But for now, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are taking their fight directly to the people, urging them to stand up against what they see as the growing power of an oligarchy.
