"Let's Keep Hope Alive": Jessie Jackson Endorses Bernie Sanders at Grand Rapids, Mich. Rally

Bernie Sanders supporter waves a campaign sign in Grand Rapids, Mich. (Emily Harrington)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI. - Civil Rights activist endorsed U.S. Senator and democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders during a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan Sunday morning.

The rally included a musical performance from Michigander and speeches from Sanders supporters like former Michigan gubernatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed, former Sen. Don Riegle Jr. and local democratic leaders. Jesse Jackson was introduced by Sanders. Jackson led the crowd into pro-Sanders chants.

“Let’s keep hope alive,” Jackson said."

During his speech, Sanders focused his attacks on the Trump administration. At one point, Sanders called President Trump a “pathological lair, a racist and a sexist.” Sanders also focused on uniting Americans under his administration and goals such as national marijuana legalization, international partnership to fight climate change and restoring DACA protection. The crowd erupted into “Bernie” chants as he said he would promise to never nominate a U.S. Supreme Court justice who does not fully support the decision on Roe v. Wade. Supporters once again cheered as the U.S. Vermont Senator explained his plans on increased gun control.

“My promise to you is to pass the most comprehensive and sweeping gun control legislation in this nation’s history,” he said.

Sanders said the act would include implementing universal background checks, closing the “gun show loophole” and ending the sale and distribution of assault weapons. He closed his rally by calling upon his supporters to help lead to a victory like his 2016 Michigan primary win.

The Sanders rally comes days before Michigan’s democratic primary on Tuesday, March 10. The primary puts 147 delegates with  125 are allocated based on results.