Bernie Sanders and AOC’s Rallies Can Be The Catalyst For A New Progressive Party

By Yiannis Damellos

Recently, I came across an article by Eric Blanc in Jacobin titled "Bernie Sanders and AOC’s Rallies Can Become a Mass Movement." While I don’t know Blanc personally, I believe he underestimates the dynamics at play in the “Fighting Oligarchy Tour” rallies featuring Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. He posits that these rallies could evolve into a larger mass movement—if Bernie and AOC can channel their attendees into sustained organizing efforts against figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk. In my view, these rallies could indeed lay the groundwork for a new Progressive Party that disrupts the entrenched bipolar political system in Washington, which is often manipulated by corporate interests.

The article is well-structured, addressing significant issues evident within the American Left. Blanc highlights that Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are disregarding the advice of Democratic insiders to “roll over and play dead,” instead opting to organize anti-oligarchy mass rallies. These have drawn record-breaking numbers, clearly demonstrating a widespread desire to resist the likes of Musk and Trump.

Blanc also points out the ineptness of established figures like Chuck Schumer in combating the new oligarchs, contrasting this with the aspirations of Bernie and AOC to lead not just leftist activists but also the Democratic Party’s mainstream liberal base. However, I’m not entirely convinced that Bernie seeks to lead the latter. I suspect his goal is to prepare Alexandria for such a role, which may explain their collaborative attendance and organization of these meetings.

My main criticism of the article is its question of how to harness this energy into a movement capable of defeating both Musk and Trump. This reflects a typical leftist notion: let’s create a movement akin to Occupy Wall Street and change the world. But let's be honest—what did Occupy Wall Street truly achieve? The answer is not much, which is why I felt compelled to write this article, despite having once believed fervently in the power of mass movements.

In my opinion, merely attending rallies or stepping into an organizing role isn’t sufficient to channel the excitement of these events into a sustained, impactful campaign. I believe this is the strategic focus Bernie’s advisers are pursuing. They state, “For those asking, yes, these [rallies] are tied to action. All have been in or near GOP-held swing districts, and we are following up with specific actions to pressure their Members to vote NO on any Medicaid cuts or billionaire tax breaks— or else face electoral consequences.” While true, this discourse operates within the confines of the Democratic Party establishment. Regardless of its potential success or momentum, it will remain ensnared within the Moderate Faction of the Democratic Party—the Business Party of America.

Thus, I propose this: we need to generate a substantial scale of resistance to achieve real change. Sign petitions, attend protests, and rally our coworkers, friends, and neighbors to do the same. Convince them that sustained, escalating effort is essential for making a difference. However, when these individuals go to vote for true freedom, they cannot be lumped in with Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, and Hillary Clinton. Many have been burned too often to support a moderate Democrat, fully aware that such figures are part of the reason Trump is still in power.

In other words, don’t let your electorate down, Eric. If you're going to make a change, do it right. It's time to start your own party—breathe some fresh air of genuine reform. How can you convince workers that you intend to raise their incomes when your ranks include individuals financially beholden to the corporate elite? How naïve do you think the working class is? How can you endorse a single-payer healthcare system if you accept donations from Big Pharma? We need to be realistic here: the Democratic Party isn’t a harmonious family where every member enjoys equal opportunities. The same goes for Social Security and Veterans Affairs. Not a chance, Eric.

To initiate any reform, any substantial change in the lives of Americans, the first step must be to distance yourself from the old moderate Democrats. Mass action can only follow the establishment of a New Progressive Party. This is the prerequisite for any real change in the United States.