Photos: Bernie: Thank you Los Angeles for our biggest rally ever. 36,000 people came out today ...

[Donkees]

Thank you Los Angeles for our biggest rally ever.

36,000 people came out today to say NO to Trumpism, NO to oligarchy, NO to authoritarianism, and NO to a rigged economy.
6:56 PM · Apr 12, 2025

[WarGamer]

1. Bernie has lots of answers... but the PTB rarely listen.

[sheshe2]

6. Please elaborate.

What answers does he have?
What legislation has he passed in answer to said questions?
And please tell me what PTB stands for.

Thanks in advance.

[Skittles]

9. it's the same stuff over and over

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[sheshe2]

12. IKR?

[CitizenZero]

16. Bernie Repeats

Bernie repeats the same message over and over because he is trying to reach everyone and raise the consciousness of all Americans. Not everyone follows politics as closely as people here on DU. He is trying to mobilize the masses and that takes consistent messaging. The truth bears repeating and I am glad that Bernie continues to fight for working families.

[Skittles]

17. then perhaps you have input to post #6

outside of blah blah blah living wage blah blah blah working families, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[CitizenZero]

30. List of Bills Bernie has Sponsored

https://www.billtrack50.com/legislatordetail/15747

[Skittles]

32. 18 years

ooh! ooh! I see a few were actually ENACTED!

yeah OK

over and out

[CitizenZero]

33. Congress

It is not Bernie's fault that progressive bills don't get passed easily in Congress. Bernie has proposed Medicare for All, increasing the Federal Minimum Wage, and many other progressive policies. If Congress is not up to speed, that is the fault of Congress, not Bernie.

[CitizenZero]

45. Also

Why the apparent resentment of Bernie Sanders? I would genuinely like to know.

[Magoo48]

51. When you gather 36,000 people together, what will your more enlightened message be?

[chowder66]

18. I appreciate what he has to say but I admit the repetition is a bit much.

Considering that people think that something isn't being said or done because they didn't see it or hear it doesn't mean it isn't being said or done, so in that respect maybe the repetition is what is needed.

[Skittles]

21. I can't say what I REALLY think

so, over and out

[chowder66]

28. Understood.

[Emile]

25. Chuck Schumer on Sunday Morning talk shows

over and over is zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Klarkashton]

24. Bernie gives hope to people that are frightened about

What trump is doing. I hope you are trying to do that too.

[sheshe2]

29. You said:

I hope you are trying to do that too.

What does this even mean?

I have voted. I have attended rallies. I have resisted.

What I haven't done is serve 8 years as a mayor, 16 years as a congressperson or 18 years as a senator. I never held a prestigious seat or had the power of a committee, never had the power of the pen or the ability to cast a single vote in the house or senate. I have not had the power to write of pass a bill that would help all Americans.

We need a hell of a lot more than hope if we will come out of this alive.

[Klarkashton]

37. Oh ok.

[questionseverything]

53. I think it means, stop shitting on those still trying, like Bernie and aoc

But you do you

[Trueblue1968]

42. Seems to me you know the answers to the questions you posred.

Why are you asking him to provide those answers. Use google. It is really easy.

[sheshe2]

43. I googled PTB. here is what I got.

PTB generally stands for Public Test Branch. In the context of video games, particularly those with ongoing updates, PTB is a separate, test version of the game used for playtesting new content before it's released to the live version. It's also sometimes used in a medical context to stand for Pulmonary Tuberculosis, a contagious bacterial infection primarily affecting the lungs.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Public Test Branch (PTB) - Gaming:
The PTB is a separate, usually downloadable or access-only, version of a video game where developers allow players to test new updates, features, or content before they are officially released to the main "live" version.
The purpose of the PTB is to gather feedback from players, identify bugs, and make adjustments before the updates are rolled out to the larger player base.
Access to the PTB might be limited to specific players, such as streamers, dedicated testers, or those who have opted in to the testing program.
2. Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) - Medical:
PTB refers to a contagious bacterial infection, primarily affecting the lungs, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
It can also spread to other parts of the body.
Pulmonary tuberculosis is often referred to as TB, especially in more general discussions.
In summary: When discussing video games, PTB refers to the public test branch, a testing version of the game. In a medical context, it means Pulmonary Tuberculosis, a bacterial lung infection.
Pulmonary tuberculosis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
Nov 10, 2024 — Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection that involves the lungs. ... Pulmonary TB is caused by...

MedlinePlus
Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments
Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments.

Healthline
Pulmonary tuberculosis: what is it, symptoms and treatment
What is pulmonary tuberculosis? Pulmonary tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs and can spread to other org...
https://www.google.com/search?q=ptb+meaning&rlz=1CALAYK_enUS1085&oq=PTB&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqDggBEEUYJxg7GIAEGIoFMhEIABBFGDkYQxixAxiABBiKBTIOCAEQRRgnGDsYgAQYigUyDAgCEAAYQxiABBiKBTIMCAMQABhDGIAEGIoFMgwIBBAAGEMYgAQYigUyBwgFEC4YgAQyCggGEAAYsQMYgAQyBwgHEAAYgAQyBwgIEAAYgAQyCQgJEAAYChiABNIBCjkyMTgyajBqMTWoAgiwAgHxBUVpIaKeT-sg&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

................
What does PTB mean in texting?
Please text back
PTB. Please text back.

When a poster makes vague statements it should be up to the poster to clarify. I don't see that as a difficult thing to do. As you can see there are some very interesting versions of what PTB means and I doubt that either one was what they meant...and if they do I am even more confused.

A rally is not an accomplishment.

Nite, Trueblue.

[Trueblue1968]

48. Lol lol .... I read what he posted. Nothing in his post led one to think PTB related to medical stuff

I have known PTB meant ... The Powers That Be ... The top dogs. Leaders etc FOR AT LEAST 20 years

Oh and I googled PTB. The powers that be. I now know tne phrase has been around since Tynsdale was printing books. ..... The 1500's

[betsuni]

46. Answers are to "stand up" and things will get done. 99% stands up to the 1%.

"But it's not just Musk and Republicans, it's the Democratic Party as well. Their billionaires tell candidates, 'Don't stand up to the powerful special interests,' and too many Democrats are listening to them."

Brothers and sisters.

[GiqueCee]

49. Bernie is one of my senators...

... and passing legislation is not any senator's primary purpose; serving those he or she represents IS. And I speak from personal experience when I say that Bernie has done an exemplary job in that regard. And in at least one instance that I was party to, he went the extra mile for the son of someone that didn't even vote for him. That someone was also too petty to even thank him for it – and it was a BIG "it" – and, sadly, that marked the end of our friendship. But Dan got the the VA benefits he had been denied anyway. Thanks to Bernie.
Ideas abound, if there are transcripts of his speeches, which I'm sure there are.

And PTB is Powers That Be.

[GP6971]

31. What is PTB? Not familiar with it.

[oregonjen]

34. Powers that be

[GP6971]

35. Thanks!!

[sheshe2]

44. I was told to Google it...here ya go.

Public Test Branch
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Please Text Back

See post 43.

[MuseRider]

2. This kind of work needs to be

constant. When Bernie and AOC are done there needs to be others willing to find the time to do more of this. People forget a lot of things but when it is exciting and you get that surge of being a part of something big you do not forget it. So who should we ask to be next? We must remain engaged and boy is it hard when you are getting whooped every day by insanity that is likely to change our lives in bad ways. Who should we ask? Who should we pressure? Smaller amounts of time is fine as long as we can keep it up.

That is what I think anyway, I love those rallys, they always keep me in the game.

[JI7]

10. These event cost a lot of money and people complain when democrats fundraise

[Autumn]

15. I don't complain. I donate to AOC and Bernie every chance I get.

[wanderer54]

13. I was there !

I thought it was very nice. I guess it would depend on "which side are you on"

[malaise]

3. Fabulous

Rec

[Deuxcents]

4. 👏👏💙

[msongs]

5. don't see waldo or chuch schumer in the crowd pix lol nt

[jalan48]

7. Thanks Bernie! And AOC!

[mike_c]

8. Thank you, Bernie and AOC! nt

[Emile]

11. Holy crap! K & R

[usonian]

14. Email from Bernie today.

I am sure he would want it to be shared.

Bernie and AOC. Fighting for the people.

---

So far, as you may know, we’ve been to Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nevada, Colorado, and Arizona - and the turnouts have been extraordinary - with more than 100,000 people coming out.

And Republicans are getting nervous. Both Trump and Musk have had to respond - with lies. Musk claimed that many of the 34,000 who came to the Denver rally were “paid organizers.” Trump was busy boasting, falsely, that his turnouts were always larger than ours.

On Saturday, the next phase of the Fighting Oligarchy tour begins. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and I will be starting off in Los Angeles. We’ll then be going to Utah, Idaho, back to rural agricultural areas in California, and finishing up in Montana. Most of these events will be in conservative districts that have Republican members of Congress.

What are we trying to accomplish with these events? There are four main reasons.

First: I want people in the communities that we’re in, and people throughout the country, to understand that they’re not alone when they are outraged by what Trump is doing to our country. In fact, when they stand amidst thousands of their neighbors in opposition to oligarchy, authoritarianism, xenophobia and attacks on the working class, they learn that they are not part of some fringe minority but belong to a majority of Americans who want this country to move forward in a very different direction than Trump is taking us. These rallies give people confidence and provide hope for a better future.

Second: Given the nature of corporate media and the dominance of big money over the two-party political system, it’s vitally important that we provide a progressive political and economic analysis that many people have rarely or never heard. In other words, we must raise political consciousness. One of the ways that the Establishment is able to maintain the rigged economic and political systems that we have is by ignoring the most pressing problems that working class people face. When people are not provided with rational explanations as to what’s going on in the world in which they live, they may give up on the political process. And that is exactly what the moneyed interests want.

For example: When is the last time that you heard a serious national discussion about the unprecedented level of income and wealth inequality that we are currently experiencing? What are the moral and economic implications of the three wealthiest people in America owning more wealth than the bottom half of our country – 170 million Americans? This, perhaps the most important economic reality that we face, is almost completely ignored by the corporate media and corporate politicians. Well. I TALK ABOUT IT AT OUR RALLIES.

And what about the economic crises facing the working class of this country? In the richest country in the history of the world, which is what we are, 60% of our people live paycheck to paycheck and working class people, as a result of the stress they experience trying to survive, have a seven years shorter life expectancy than the wealthy. Over 20% of senior citizens in this country are trying to survive on less than $15,000 a year. We have the highest rate of childhood poverty of almost any major country on earth. Over 800,000 Americans are homeless and 20 million Americans spend half of their incomes or more on housing. Do you hear much discussion about those realities on TV or in Congress? Well. I TALK ABOUT IT AT OUR RALLIES.

And what about our dysfunctional and wildly expensive health care? Republicans want to slash Medicaid. Most Democrats are content to preserve the status quo. When is the last time you heard serious discussion about the need to approach health care as a human right and guarantee health care to all Americans through a Medicare for All single-payer system. Well. I TALK ABOUT IT AT OUR RALLIES.

And what about, perhaps, the most important issue of all? The need to end the disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision and move to public funding of elections. Both parties raise huge amounts from the billionaire class which allows them to use their influence to shape the government’s agenda. Musk spent $270 million to elect Trump and was given the right to decimate programs that working families desperately need. AIPAC and other super-PACs contribute heavily to Democrats (and Republicans) and are prepared to punish any elected official who stands up to Netanyahu’s barbaric war against the Palestinian people in Gaza. You’re not hearing much lately about our corrupt campaign finance system. Well. I TALK ABOUT IT AT OUR RALLIES.

Third: While it is absolutely imperative that we, as progressives, take on Trump and his extremist agenda every day, it’s equally important that we bring forth a bold agenda for the future that addresses the pain that millions of working class families are experiencing. Working class Americans are not voting Republican because they support tax breaks for billionaires or want to decimate Medicaid, Social Security, or the Veterans Administration. They are voting Republican because they perceive, correctly, that most Democrats are not prepared to forcefully address the economic crises that they face. Democrats are wildly perceived as the party of the status quo - a status quo which has been a disaster for most Americans. That has got to change. We need a clear economic program that takes on the Oligarchs and the greed of corporate America. An agenda that raises wages and supports unions, ends poverty for seniors, children and the disabled, makes housing affordable, guarantees health care and education for all and creates millions of good paying jobs by combatting the existential threat of climate change. In other words, after 10 years of simply criticizing Trump, we have to give Americans something to vote FOR.

Fourth: It is no secret to anyone that the current Democratic Party is a top-down institution. It is largely funded by a small group of individuals in the “donor class,” run by well-paid (and out of touch) consultants and elects most, not all, candidates through massive amounts of advertising. That is the political approach of the Democratic Establishment. It is an approach which will not only continue to lose elections but will never bring about the profound changes this country needs.

Our approach is different. We know that real political and social change never takes place from the top on down. It always takes place from the bottom on up. It’s what happens when millions of Americans - Black, White, Latino, men and women, gay and straight, native born or immigrant - stand together for economic, social, racial, and environmental justice.

And that is why we are now hiring organizers all across the country to help build that movement. We’re holding town meetings, we’re door-knocking, we’re on the phones and on social media. It’s why we’re beginning to recruit strong progressive candidates to run for office, from school board to U.S Senator.

That’s what the Fighting Oligarchy tour is all about.

In solidarity,

Bernie

[littlemissmartypants]

19. Have you...

Considered making this its own OP, usonian?
Like in ...
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1011
And cross posted in
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1324 too?

Thanks so much for sharing it here. ❤️

[usonian]

38. Sure, I was busy tonight. Just checked in. Will do.

[Amaryllis]

20. AGree this should be its own op!

[usonian]

39. Will do.

[Gordcanuck]

22. I like the turnout but your indebtedness to other countries

is driving this chaos. Your nation is no longer credit-worthy. You’re overdrawn, and your creditors are losing faith in your ability to honour your obligations. What a comedown, eh?
There’s no easy solution whatever side of the aisle you’re on. You could try not incurring more international debt , you can pay back what you owe, and cut your purse to fit your pocket. With a much smaller bond debt the Reagan admin. handled that. The tariff biz, which never works, is a sideshow, a distraction from your real issue, now before you. An international set of large obligations is not insurmountable if taken in gradual negotiated steps. In stride, your creditors will cooperate.
I believe you can do this and end the administration idiocy that now plagues you. Watch the current gang kowtow and/or run when this becomes top of the agenda.
Here in Canada , your friendly northern neighbour, we’ve running low international bond costs and keeping our spending roughly within our means. Most of our loans as bonds are domestically taken up. Yes the scale you operate on is ginormous but spending above your income (tax revenue) can really get out of hand.
Reel it in, or look out, Charlie Brown!
Gordcanuck 🇨🇦

[CitizenZero]

23. Yes

Yes, we need to tax more and borrow less. That would be a way to reduce our debt and still have enough revenue for the social safety net and government functions. So I agree with you. To me the solution is a reasonable and progressive tax on corporations and the rich. It would solve a lot of problems.

[Stargazer99]

54. Last year with increased funds to audit high income - auditors found over ONE BILLION in unpaid taxes via various out of

country investments, etc. The monied in this country OWES this country that allowed them to get rich and quit whining about taxes. Poor babies with the finest medical care, superior foods, fine homes in some cases more than one, etc, The rich are the PROBLEM not the middle class or low income. Greed is NOT good (Reagan) as the materialist rich person wants you to believe

[riversedge]

26. whow.

[3auld6phart]

27. Amazing

That is a powerful picture. Kick the pukes where it hurts, damn the traitors to Hell , if such a place really exists.

[PufPuf23]

36. Bernie Sanders says the obvious.

Some people do not like Sanders.

I don't want Sanders for POTUS but do want Democratic leaders that state the obvious.

[UTUSN]

40. K&R

[AZProgressive]

41. The rally made the news on Al Jazeera

They don't cover the US unless there is really big news.

I also watched most of the rally and the entirety of AOC & Bernie's speech on Youtube.

[Meowmee]

47. Good size crowds there 👏🏻👏🏻

[Evolve Dammit]

50. AOC/ Bernie. As good as Gaga and Tony Bennett! RIP Tony. 36,000 is a nice turnout. They are rockin' it. n/t

[Passages]

52. Hopeful.

Which is not easy to feel these days.