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Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders discusses healthcare, climate change and immigration in Bakersfield

Posted at 5:04 PM, Feb 21, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-24 18:20:47-05

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Universal healthcare, climate change and immigration reform were just a few of the many topics presidential candidate Bernie Sanders touched on during his Bakersfield rally Friday.

The Vermont senator held a rally at the Spectrum Amphitheater, located at the Park at Riverwalk.

"This is not about Bernie, this is about us," Sanders said. "What this campaign is about and what this administration is about is making sure all of our people in the wealthiest nation in the history of the world can live with security and dignity."

Sanders promised that if he is elected, one of his primary focuses will be universal healthcare in America, something that has been discussed in previous administrations but never implemented.

"Now is the time for action," Sanders said. "People in America understand that healthcare is a human right and must be universal."

Sanders also touched on climate change, saying that due to the recent devastating wildfires throughout the state, Californians know more that anyone "that climate change is real."

The Vermont senator directly called out President Donald Trump in regards to immigration policies.

"As president, our administration will end the demonization of the undocumented in this country," Sanders said.

Sanders promised that if he is elected, he will put an end raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and reinstate Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. He said his campaign is about making sure everyone can "live with security and dignity."

Other political hot topics Sanders discussed included prison reform, gun control, abortion rights, minimum wage in America and education reform.

"Invest in our young people, not more jails," Sanders said. "We desperately need great teachers, we need more African American teachers and Latino teachers."

Sanders promised to increase the minimum wage so that Americans will no longer struggle with things like child care or homelessness. "We as the wealthiest country on earth should not have half a million people out sleeping on the streets," Sanders said.

"At the end of the day the 1 percent is 1 percent, we are 99 percent, let us stand together," Sanders said.

The third vote of the 2020 Democratic presidential primary is set for Saturday afternoon, when Nevadans head to caucus sites around the state.

California's presidential primary will take place in less than two weeks during Super Tuesday on March 3.