Bernie Sanders Comes To Little Village To Support 'Chuy' Garcia

CHICAGO, IL - Hundreds gathered inside a Little Village banquet hall Thursday afternoon as the Progressive political movement made its way to the largest city in the Midwest. Vermont U.S. Senator and 2016 presidential candidate Bernie Sanders was the featured speaker at a rally to support Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, a candidate in the 4th Congressional District of Illinois.

Inside the Apollos 2000, Sanders and Garcia each spoke after a number of other political candidates who identify themselves as progressives. A full gamut of topics, from immigration and free college education to gun control and a single-payer healthcare system were mentioned by the lineup of speakers.

Mariachi music played between speakers and at the end of the event, when Illinois Gubernatorial hopeful Chris Kennedy could be spotted shaking hands with some in the crowd.

"I was inspired," one woman said after the rally while waiting for her Uber ride on Cermak Road.

The raucous event was attended by a diverse group of people and those of a wide age range. Signs reading 'Our Revolution' were as rampant as ones promoting Garcia and Sanders.

Many who were in the crowd, like Eduardo Chavez, are college students in Chicago. Chavez, a Pilsen resident, attends Saint Xavier University on the Far South Side.

"The stances Chuy Garcia has are aligned with mine," Chavez said. "I come from a family of immigrants, and right now is the perfect time for us to do something about what's going on and elect a candidate like Chuy."

Chavez said he first supported Garcia during his 2015 Chicago Mayoral run and says he has a great chance to win the 4th District race.

Sol Flores and Richard Gonzalez are on the 4th District ballot with Garcia for the March 20 election. Incumbent Luis Gutierrez is not seeking re-election.

Watch a part of Sanders' talk at Apollos here:

Before Sanders, Garcia addressed the crowd. Watch some of that here:

Photos by Tim Moran / Patch