Rally for Revolution; Denver, CO

On Friday, March 21, 2025, Bernie Sanders & Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (also known as AOC) held a political rally in Denver, Colorado at Civic Center Park.

I considered going, but a few things held me back. One of my bigger concerns was the sheer size of the crowd (30,000 people attended, which according to Bernie is his biggest rally to date). Ever since Covid, large gatherings feel overwhelming. My nervous system just can’t handle that much people-energy anymore. 

Another thing that held me back from attending was all the walking needed to attend this standing-room-only event. It's been surprising how much aging has limited my ability to show up for things I used to do with such freedom & ease. Sometimes my body just says no & I'm still learning how to be OK with this.

Then there's Bernie Sanders, who is 83, out there on the road, doing rallies in so many cities, and sometimes more than one a day! He's standing, speaking, rallying, being fierce and relentless in getting his message out there. It's quite impressive. 

Picture credit: local news outlet

I felt some guilt around not attending in person. We are living in one of the most revolutionary times in our lives, and I want to be involved, present & do something that matters. So I found another way to participate. I jumped on-line and made a donation to support the cause. I watched the event on live-stream, which allowed me to connect into the energy real time. Also, I'm writing & sharing this blog to engage with these energy currents in a way that feels transformative for me, and for maybe some of my readers.

In this blog I'll share some of my reflections from the Denver rally, along with some of my artwork that I've created over the years.

Social Security

There was a portion of AOC’s speech that really landed for me. She talked about Social Security, not just as a policy but as a mutual agreement between generations. Paraphrasing her message & weaving in my own reflections; the younger generation pays into Social Security as an act of care for the elders. As we age, we receive what we contributed, which is supported & funded by generations coming up behind us. It’s a cycle of giving & receiving; a social safety net that honors & supports the aging process we all go through (if we're lucky enough to live that long).

With advancements in healthcare, many of us are living longer than ever before. And yet, despite this, our country continues to fall short in how we care for our elders. Many older adults live alone, struggle with financial insecurity, or face high costs of assisted living facilities. It saddens me to think this could very well be part of my own future, and the idea that Social Security, one of the few support structures in place for me, could be taken away. This is both heartbreaking and frightening.

The way AOC spoke about this model of Social Security made me understand a new level of ancestral lineage and of care & responsibility that ties us together across time & generations. This sense of lineage deepened as I saw Bernie & AOC standing side-by-side on stage; the old & young, the teacher & student, the past & future. It was a beautiful reminder of what’s possible when generations come together unified in purpose. 

Listening to AOC’s speech helped me see how powerful it can be to speak about universal aspects of the human experience, like aging, community & mutual support. These are not just political talking points; these themes touch something tender & deeply human in most of us. Hearing AOC speak was a lesson for me in how values-based storytelling can influence the quality of one's SpeechCraft to influence not only the minds of others, but their hearts too.

Cultivate Community

Another aspect of AOC’s speech that touched me is how she talked about the importance of community. She issued a call of action to talk witb people; our neighbors, our families, our friends. Now is not the time to shy away from real conversations.

We are often told not to talk about politics or religion; at work, with friends, with family, with neighbors. These topics are usually off-limits. However, now more than ever, we need to be having courageous conversations about things that truly matter & impact our lives. Avoidance doesn’t protect us, it disconnects us.

Politics & religion may influence who we let into our inner circle, however, we should all strive to be able to still have civil conversations with those with widely differing views. This is how we learn and grow, as individuals and as a people. It can be challenging, and for me it definitely is, however, it's the growth edge I'm leaning into.

At one point, AOC asked the audience to “Look around. Say hello to the person next to you. Meet someone new today.” I heard an incredible buzz ripple through the crowd as thousands of people turned to one another & said hello to someone standing next to them. It brought tears to my eyes…and I was only watching it on-line. 

Community is something that has weakened in my life since Covid. As I shared in one of my prior blogs, this is something I want to build back up in my life. Doing so in these times of revolutionaries rising seems like a powerful time to increase my efforts and intentions in this area, to meet new friends that can amplify & enlighten my soul voice and find spirited allyship with during these times.

It was nice to hear Bernie Sanders talk about some of the issues many of us are deeply concerned about. One of my greatest concerns with the Trump Administration is the deliberate & swift dismantlement of the federal government, with an agenda driven to privatize these essential public services with decreased oversight & social accountability. 

Privatization itself is not inherently bad, it can lead to innovation & efficiency. However, without regulation rooted in justice, equity & sustainability, privatization with limited oversight (and many back rooms deals) dangerously tips things toward profit over people, and supports a model that is extractive and not generative.

Privatization hands even more control over to a small group of wealthy elites, giving them greater control over the economy, government and our culture - to serve their own interests, and in ways that will go far beyond the time of Trump's presidency. If we don’t push back now, we risk living in a country where common good is sold off to the highest bidder, and democracy becomes little more than a façade on a piece of paper that no longer applies. 

This is why voices like Bernie’s matter. This is why staying awake, informed & engaged matters. Democracy doesn’t die in a single moment; it erodes piece by piece when we’re not paying attention. We need to stay awake...especially now.

Another issue that deeply troubles me is Trump's push to expand executive authority & reduce our fundamental system of checks & balances (many times through actions that look like extortion).

Checks & balances between the various branches of our government exist to ensure that power is not concentrated in the hands of one individual, and that the diverse voice of the American people is represented & protected. Once these safeguards are gone, it will be very challenging to get them back. Power, once centralized and unchecked, rarely gives itself back voluntarily.

This is not just a political shift; it’s a direct assault on democratic governance. It puts every dissenting voice at risk. It undermines the legitimacy of opposition, debate and diversity of thought, elements that are essential to a functioning democracy.

There are many other aspects of Trumps agenda that deeply concern me, however, I'll bring this blog back to the act & power of speaking up. Seeing Bernie & AOC speak at this event reminds me of how dangerous it can be to speak out. No matter what side of the aisle you’re on, it takes real courage to stand up before a crowd, take a stance, and put yourself on the front line of public discourse. 

As part of my own growth, I am currently in a speech club for Toastmasters on the learning pathway of “Persuasive Influence”. I recently gave a speech about Project 25 and the collapsing state of American Democracy. I ended the speech with a call to action for each person to rise up into their fullness and contribute meaningfully to this moment in time. Hearing AOC & Bernie speak made me even more proud of my speech & the courage I needed to muster to give it, first to a group of people, and now with you on the internet.

Here's a link to the recording of my P25 Speech. This was my first time giving a political speech. There were lots of layers I wanted to add to the story & it was challenging to fit everything into 8 minutes. These times are increasing my drive to speak to these matters. Not to just add noise to the chaos, but to offer clarity, connection & courage in my messaging. I look forward to seeing how my skills evolve over time as I strive to meet this moment.

The response to my speech has been mixed, as expected. Most people that have reached out have done so with a show of support, either because they are aligned with the message, or simply proud of me for speaking up and putting thoughtful energy into something that matters. There has been some discomfort expressed from others as well about my speech, and some people have shared they did not know about the Heritage Foundation or Project 25. Which until a couple years ago, neither did I.

That’s one of the reasons I wanted to see AOC & Bernie speak at the Denver rally. As they spoke, I observed what they said & how they said it. I focused on how they used their words, presence & passion to influence & move a crowd. I watched how they started, flowed through content, ended their messages, and what calls to action they brought forth.

If I’m going to continue writing & speaking about challenging social themes, I want to learn from those already doing it with clarity & heart. I want to grow in my own ability to speak truthfully, skillfully & bravely about challenging topics, and still be able to reside in some peace, even as so much division pulses deeply throughout humanity.

That’s why I’m challenging myself to write & speak about these things. It’s not easy, fun or comfortable & I have a lot to learn about navigating charged & complex conversations. But if not now, when? I want to rise to the occasion, knowing I will stumble along the way, but at least I'm moving...step by step, word by word, and making progress on my own journey of evolution.

It was moving for me to witness Bernie & AOC speak to the shared frustration, heartache & determination so many of us are feeling. It’s easy to vent on social media or keep our thoughts bottled up, but there’s something profoundly energizing about people coming together and speaking out loud for what matters to a larger collective.

When people organize, vote & demand better, real change can happen. And yet, I’ll admit, there are days, weeks & even months when I struggle to hold onto hope. Only 31% of the US voting public chose this current direction, and yet we are all living with the consequences, both in this country & around the globe. That alone is a heavy imbalance to carry.

But here we are, fully in it. And so a question emerges: how do we rise to meet this moment? Each of us will be affected in different ways, and all of us have something to offer in response. Whether it’s through courageous conversations, creative expression, voting, donating time or resources to causes you support, or simply refusing to stay silent, we each have a role to play during this pivotal time in history. No one can do everything, but each one of us can do something, and together, those somethings can shift the tide. 

The timing of this national rally tour AOC & Bernie are doing lines up perfectly with special elections happening on April 1 in several states, specifically in Florida, Wisconsin, Connecticut and New York. 

The Trump administration is fueled by billionaire interests, and this administration is intent to reduce checks and balances. If you are feeling the weight of this imbalance, and you can donate or vote in these April special elections, please do. The two-party system may be very flawed, but a one-party system is far more dangerous.

Reminder: all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election in November 2026.  Which means we have an opportunity to get some new voices and leadership in our government.

If what’s happening now inspires you to run for office at the local, state or federal level, say YES! And if running for office is not your jam, maybe writing & giving speeches is how you can serve this moment. Maybe you’re an artist that can create imagery that expand the minds & hearts of these times. Maybe you have time in your schedule to volunteer at a local organization, or attend a town hall event and have conversations with your neighbors. There are so many ways to be a revolutionary, and yes, rest & self-care are part of that equation too. 

My hope is this blog inspires you to shine your light a little more brightly in the darkness of these times. The challenges we face are real; the grief, the fear, the anger, the uncertainty. But so is our power. So is our creativity. So is our collective capacity to transform what feels heavy into something meaningful.

You don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t need to have a perfect plan. You just need to begin wherever you are, with whatever you have. Speak up. Create. Connect. Rest. Organize. Love. Resist. Vote.

Every small act of courage, every spark of truth, every moment of presence matters. The darkness is real, yes. But so is the light we carry. And when we choose to shine it together, we become impossible to ignore.

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