Missoula had an upsurge of political energy this month on April 16th as Senator Bernie S
anders and Representative Alaxandria Ocasio-Cortez brought their national “Fighting Oligarchy” tour to the University of Montana. There were roughly 9,000 people packed in and outside of the Adams Center, inside there was 7,500 people and an overflow of 1,500 all eager to hear two of the most prominent and progressive voices in American politics.
Their tour launched in February 2025, and it aims to push back against corporate power, economic inequality, and in Sanders words, “the rise of authoritarianism.” They also made stops in some major cities like Denver and Los Angeles, where the turnouts reached over 30,000. This rally in Missoula was one of the biggest and most anticipated events in the state this spring.
The excitement of the speeches from AOC and Sanders wasn’t limited to the inside area. Outside the Adams Center there were dozens of stands and booths that lined the walkway, which created a fun and festive atmosphere. Some of the stands included local activist groups that handed out flyers and signed up new members, while some would hand out campaign buttons and encourage voter registration. A handful of vendors also sold merchandise like T-shirts, posters, and stickers bearing Sanders’ and AOC’s slogans, which all contributed to the energy that waved through the crowd on campus. The crowd was lively but respectful, there were conversations happening
as well as music in the background and lots of political discussions that fluttered through the crowd. In contrast, a truck decked out with pro-trump flags, slogans, and a loud horn circled the Adams Center during the event, they honked repeatedly which turned the heads of several in the crowd. This can be used as a reminder of the political divisions that are very present even in Missoula.
Before Sanders and AOC delivered their heartfelt speech calling for economic justice, climate action, and universal healthcare they addressed the overflow crowd personally giving a short but sweet speech to empower those who didn’t make it inside. Sanders said, “We are in a struggle not just for policy change, but for the soul of our democracy…Freedom is never given, it must be fought for by ordinary people, like you.”
AOC echoed his message, she urged attendees to stay politically engaged. “This isn’t about two politicians on a stage, it’s about building a movement that can take on the billionaires and win,” she said and was met with a cheering
crowd.
Both of these leaders emphasized grassroot actions, criticizing both the republican policies and the Democratic party’s “lack of vision.” Sanders also addressed some rumors that he and AOC were starting a third political party and made it clear that wasn’t happening but stressed the fact that there is a need for stronger progressive leadership.
Like most things, the tour has had its criticisms and controversy. Both Sanders and AOC have been faced with criticism for traveling between cities on their private jet, which prompts some questions about the environmental consistency of their message. While this issue wasn’t super stressed so it wasn’t addressed directly in Missoula, the crowd remained largely supportive despite some of this criticism.
As the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour continues to make its way across the country, the Missoula stop reflected a growing interest for political engagement among many Americans. The Missoula rally was just one of many energetic stops on this tour which continues to draw attention across the country. With passionate speeches, high turnout, and a mass of support and opposition on display, the event did a good job of highlighting the growing intensity of political discourse leading up to the 2026 election season. This tour and speech has left a strong impression on the local community and students who went to view the event.
These were photos taken from the rally overflow outside showcasing the people who attended and the different stands that were set up outside for those who attended. There are also photos from the inside crowd and speech that was given by Bernie Sanders and AOC.
Photos taken by Eleanor Billingsley and Cecilia Spencer
