Thousands show up to support Sanders in Vado, New Mexico

The elementary school in this farming community in between El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico resembled an arena ready to host a rock concert Saturday.

Thousands of people waited in line for hours to see Bernie Sanders. Among them was a smattering of hipsters, teenagers who can’t vote, and old fashioned hippies.

Uryah and Diana Ramirez of El Paso were the first in line. They arrived at the school at 5:30 a.m. “We’re here to show our support for the potential for change,” Uryah said.

Sarah Hammonds and Zachary Ortega of Las Cruces said they will not vote for Hillary Clinton in the fall if Sanders does not win the nomination.

“There is no chance anyone here will vote for Clinton. Never,” Ortega said.

Hammond and Ortega are not concerned about a third-party run by Sanders ruining Clinton’s chances in the Fall.

“The two-party system is broken,” Ortega said. “That’s what the DNC should have thought about before rigging the process in favor of Hillary.”

Many of those forming the line snaking around the school said they don’t even consider themselves Democrats.

“It should not be about the party, it should be about the people,” Diana Ramirez said.

Trinity Garcia and Jackie Lujan , two El Paso 14 year olds, support Sanders even though they’re not old enough to vote. Both are trying to convince undecided relatives to vote for Sanders.

When asked what attracts them to Sanders, both teenagers said, “his proposal for free college.”

“He’s the only one talking about how money corrupts politics,” Matthew Aguilar of Las Cruces said.

Aguilar understands Sanders is a long shot for the Democratic nomination. He knows that if elected, Sanders will struggle to implement proposals like $15 an hour minimum wage.

“It’s going to take a lot of fighting with Democrats and Republicans,” Aguilar said, “But as long as someone is willing to fight, I will support them.”

Richard McDonald drove to Vado from Silver City, New Mexico. He supports Sanders’ opposition to free trade agreements. “They are no good. They drive down wages and Bernie has been against them from the start,” McDonald said.

While this is a political rally and not a rock concert, the scene certainly played the part.

Campaign staffers were selling Sanders shirts for $25.

Tye-dye shirts will cost you an extra $5.

“They’re selling fast,” a staffer said.