Signs, People of a Movement (Bernie Rally in NYC)

On April 16, 2016, I was pleasantly surprised, caught up, and swept along by a march and rally supporting Bernie Sanders for POTUS in New York City (Manhattan). I dropped everything, got swept along, and took lots of pictures, trying to capture the passion and excitement of his supporters.

The event had two parts: the march up Lafayette Street / 4th Avenue (images posted previously), and the rally/gathering in Union Square Park. This post, published several weeks after the event, but still interesting and relevant, has a gallery of my images from the rally only. That day, Union Square Park was simultaneously host to both the usual Union Square Greenmarket  (farmer’s market) at the north end of the park, as well as the diverse, passionate people with their colorful clothes, and clever signs, supporting the presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders, at the south end of the part along 14th street.

As I said in my previous post on April 16th, the actual day of the march and rally: “It was a great event; I enjoyed being part of it, and I took lots of pictures. People posed for me willingly and happily (even sans press credentials) expecting that I would do something good with the images to spread their message. Of course there were many other people snapping away with mobile phones, and cameras, including many official press photographers and videographers, especially since the event was a big deal, and had a celebrity speaker, three days from the New York State primary election.”

The Rally in Union Square Park

So, three weeks later, I am posting my gallery of images from the Bernie Sanders rally and gathering of supporters in Union Square Park on April 16, 2016 in lower Manhattan, New York City. Several of them include Rosario Dawson, as she lingered with Bernie supporters (and fans) in the crowd after speaking briefly, offering inspiration and support of Bernie’s movement. I have to say, it truly felt like I was witnessing a growing movement, started and championed by Bernie, which will continue to grow whether he is nominated as the Democratic candidate, or not.  The issues, goals, and passions of the people supporting Bernie certainly feel like a movement-in-progress, and it’s pulling in people from diverse political and social views. I’ve recently become aware of Republicans who would rather cross party lines to vote for Bernie — though 100% opposed to Hillary — than to vote for Trump or Cruz! Something really interesting is going on in the Bernie movement, if it can pull people together like that…

People & Signs at the NYC Rally on April 16, 2016

Click any image to view full-screen: