500+ at multicultural Bernie event in San Diego

This gathering doesn't fit in with some of the earlier precanned snark-fests that were ready-to-go on the interwebs, today, but there was a strong Bernie gathering in "conservative" San Diego last night. Thought I would cross-post here, where the matter might be discussed, and less subject to "Roving:"


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Before the event started, Reporting San Diego was able to talk with Ramon Espinal, who sits on the executive table of the San Diego Education Association, which has 3.5 million members nationwide.



He told us that he went to the national meeting two weeks ago, when he attended the National Education Meeting in Orland, Florida, and his Union has yet to take a decision on who they will endorse. During the meeting, they were shown interviews with Hillary Rodham Clinton, Martin O’Malley and Sanders. The National President of the Union did these.

“Our Union has not taken a position”

He personally has followed the path of Senator Sanders, starting when he was the mayor of Burlington, Vermont. He does like his social, economic and philosophical positions.

We also talked with Sarah Saenz, Program Director for United Taxi Workers of San Diego. She told Reporting San Diego. She said that she is attracted to Sanders because “he has been consistent his whole entire career.” She added, “He fights for economic justice, works for low income communities, and working families.”

“I appreciate that consistency and that he wants to take that to the presidency.”

We talked a tad about labor, and where labor is. In her view, “Labor should endorse Bernie. Hillary has not come up against the TPP (transpacific Partnership Treaty.)” She also pointed out that she was in the front lines and she risked arrest at Congressman Scott Peters (D-52) office, who ended up voting yes.

In her mind the fact that Clinton does not have a position is problematic, since is a critical issue for organized labor. Saenz added that “Bernie is for restrictions on Wall-street.

While the American Federation of Teachers has endorsed Clinton, Saenz pointed out that many in the rank and file are very upset. She believes that the rank and file in most unions will end up supporting Sanders.

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http://reportingsandiego.com/2015/07/30/at-least-500-san-diegans-show-up-for-bernie-event/