Actress Rosario Dawson introduced Bernie Sanders at a campaign rally Tuesday night in San Diego, commending the Vermont senator on his “bold leadership” and ability to draw youthful crowds.
“This [election] is … about the soul of our country, the soul of our policies and about our vision,” she told an enthusiastic audience. “We do not need incremental change, we need bold leadership. And that’s what Bernie Sanders brings to the conversation.”
The “Daredevil” star began her speech by bashing the “mass media” for what she perceives as a nasty habit of already calling the Democratic presidential nomination for Sanders’ opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
“I see all of you, and I’m so grateful that you’re here. Unfortunately, the mass media says don’t even bother,” she said, as the crowd booed. “I’m really glad that you showed them what’s up. We have to keep doing that. There is a lot that’s at stake.”
She went on to praise all the young people in the room for showing just how much they feel the Bern.
“I have been doing voter registration for 11 years, and I can tell you the one question I’m asked over and over again is: Where are the young people? Right here,” she said, eliciting cheers. “Where is the diversity? Right here. Where are people coming together under one umbrella with one vision for a future we can all dream and believe in? Right here.”
Dawson kept complimenting the crowd, telling them how much she appreciates that they were there, which in turn has helped to spark a national conversation.
“Understand how significant this is. You’re here because you’re talking to each other,” she said. “Not because you’re being encouraged by the DNC. Not because you’re being encouraged by the media. But because you’re talking to each other.”
She made a point to encourage everyone to “make sure that you’re not just liking this on Facebook” and go out there and spread the gospel of Sanders to friends and family.
“We need you now more than ever,” Dawson said. “We need you to spread the message … The youth have been on the right side of history on every issue.”
After Dawson finished, Sanders walked on stage and proceeded to fail in shaking her hand the same way President Obama and Raul Castro did after their speeches in Cuba on Monday.
.@BernieSanders just Castro-ed @rosariodawson https://t.co/kJ52pvqjXP
— POLITICO (@politico) March 23, 2016
Sanders has had numerous celebrities stump for him and introduce him at rallies, including Danny Glover, Susan Sarandon and Emily Ratajkowski.
Late Tuesday night, Sanders lost the Arizona Democratic primary to Clinton, marking her sixth victory in a row over the Democratic socialist.
