RECAP: Sen. Bernie Sanders’s ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ tour stop in Amarillo

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ message made it to the Texas Panhandle on Sunday, rallying supporters in Amarillo as part of his national “Fighting Oligarchy” tour aimed at confronting multiple political issues.

According to Sen. Sanders was unable to make an appearance, so he spoke to a crowd of several hundred over the phone at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts. During his speech, Sen. Sanders discusses billionaires and large corporations, which he described as having outsize control over the nation’s economy and democracy.

“We live in a country where three people own more wealth than the bottom half of America,” said Sanders. “That is not democracy. That is oligarchy, and we are here to fight back.”

The event was part town hall, part campaign-style rally, as Sanders laid out a broad vision for economic justice, including Medicare for All, tuition-free college, stronger labor protections, and higher taxes on corporations and the ultra-wealthy.

Sanders, who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, has not announced plans for another presidential run but remains a leading progressive voice in the Democratic Party. In recent months, he’s focused his attention on challenging corporate power and mobilizing working-class voters.

“We are here in Amarillo, not Wall Street, not Beverly Hills, because we believe working people in every corner of this country deserve a government that works for them, not just the rich,” Sanders said.

The event featured former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, who rallied the crowd with a call for civic resistance and a pledge to fight what he described as the moral collapse of political leadership in Texas.

“If you voted for Donald Trump and you’re with us now, you’re welcome in this coalition,” O’Rourke said. “And if you voted for Bernie Sanders, you were right all along.”

Other speakers included Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy, United States Representative Greg Casar, United Steelworkers organizer and veteran Jose Loya, and newly elected Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder, each of whom emphasized themes of labor rights, healthcare access, and immigrant justice.

“This is not a right-versus-left issue,” said an Amarillo physician during opening remarks. “This is a human rights issue.”

Loya, who served two tours in Iraq as a Marine before becoming a U.S. citizen, spoke emotionally about his immigration journey and his commitment to labor organizing in rural Texas.

“We don’t need anyone’s permission to fight for what is right,” Loya said. “We’re not asking for power. We’re taking it back.”

Before introducing Sen. Sanders, U.S. Rep. Casar said the following statement.

“Unfortunately, given the extraordinary and dangerous circumstances in the Middle East, the tough news is that Sen. Sanders has been pulled in security briefings all day. Hasn’t been able to land yet, and Amarillo to be here in person yet, but I know, but he is so committed to talking to everybody here live that he’s we’re going to bring out Senator Sanders by phone so that he can still give his speech to you and talk to you no matter what,” said Casar.

“Senator Sanders has been our champion for working people. He’s been our champion for peace. He’s been our champion against corruption and cruelty,” said U.S. Rep. Casar, after reporting that Sen. Sanders will not be in attendance.

Scudder, representing a younger progressive wave within the Democratic Party, pledged to build a “working-class army” across the state.

“We’re not just taking punches anymore—we’re going to throw them, too,” he said. “It’s time the Democratic Party stopped groveling for crumbs and started fighting for the people again.”

Organizers said the event was part of a broader effort to shift political dynamics in areas often overlooked by the national party. Sanders’ tour continues through several other states in the coming weeks, with stops planned in regions and areas.