Sanders headlines sold-out ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ tour stop in West Virginia

WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) – At 6 p.m. Friday, the speakers will take the stage at the Capitol Theatre.

The main speaker is U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. The name of the tour is “Fighting Oligarchy, Where We Go From Here.” The doors opened at 4:30 p.m.

Hundreds of people have already gone in and taken their seats.

At this point, live music is being performed. It’s a ticketed event, but tickets were free. Attendees just had to register online. Sanders’ volunteers have been setting up inside the Capitol Theatre all day.

Venue officials say standard security measures are in place for the event. No outside food or beverages are allowed. No weapons are allowed. No outside signs or flags are allowed for the event. No bags larger than a fanny pack are permitted, and there are bag searches.

Behavior is number one. And anyone who’s acting inappropriately will be asked to leave and escorted outside the building. And it’s just to be respectful, you know. They’re coming into our city and we just want to show them how great we are here in Wheeling, West Virginia.”
Kelly Tucker, executive director of the Greater Wheeling Sports & Entertainment Authority

The Capitol Theatre has 2,300 seats. Officials say they expect every seat to be occupied. People are still arriving. Tickets are general admission.

The speaking portion of the program starts at 6 p.m.

The Independent U.S. Senator from Vermont is traveling the nation with his message. He believes people are frustrated with our current political system.

He says the voices of the people are being suppressed.

In a politically divided society, different people are viewing this event in varying ways.

Former WV Republican Party Chair Elgine McArdle says Sanders is certainly welcome, and there is freedom of speech.

But she doesn’t believe his message will be embraced.

To claim oligarchy in the current state of affairs of the country where the country is doing well, moving forward, uh tariffs are doing well, bringing money in, we are moving forward and going in a positive direction, and I do not think that that message will resonate with any Republicans in the State of West Virginia.”
Elgine McArdle | Former WV & Ohio County Republican Party Chair

On the other hand, local volunteer Hilary Kinney feels people are more than ready to listen to a voice for change in government.

Right now, in the United States a lot of folks are struggling to make ends meet whether that’s putting food on the table for their families, finding good paying jobs or being able to afford a house. And so, Senator Bernie Sanders has been traveling around the entire country talking about how working-class people can come together and expect more out of the United States.”
Hilary Kinney | Local Volunteer with Tour

They say the purpose of the tour is to let people know it’s not the billionaires who should be setting policies.

It’s the regular people who should have a voice.