Senator Bernie Sanders, Fighting Oligarchy Tour, Rally in Wheeling, WV, Aug. 8, 2025 📣

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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) wows Wheeling, WV crowd on latest leg of ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ tour, Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Aug. 8, 2025.
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WHEELING, W.Va. — Cheers and applause shook the walls of the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling on Friday night as hundreds of mountaineers welcomed U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders on his ongoing “Fighting Oligarchy” tour. Some in the crowd sported red bandanas, signifying mine workers’ labor organizing efforts in the state in the early 20th century, while others wore ‘’Fight the Oligarchy’ T-shirts purchased from vendors outside.

A sea of pompoms waved in the air as ‘“Power to the People’’ blared from theater speakers.

“Whoever said West Virginia was a conservative state?” Mr. Sanders stated. “Somebody got it wrong.” The Vermont Independent chose Wheeling to launch the latest leg of his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour — part of a push into “deep red” and rural communities ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. His website describes the tour as an effort “to have real discussions across America on how we move forward to take on the Oligarchs and corporate interests who have so much power and influence in this country.”

The Wheeling stop came as Democrats debate how to win over working-class voters and as local advocates push for solutions to poverty, housing shortages and environmental disasters. Health care also was a central focus Friday as Mr. Sanders criticized President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” for its deep cuts to Medicaid. “Fifteen million Americans, including 50,000 right here in West Virginia, are going to lose their health care,” Mr. Sanders said, a statement that prompted boos from the crowd before he continued, “Cuts to nutrition — literally taking food out of the mouths of hungry kids.”

Mr. Sanders then turned to education, asking who in the room were teachers. Dozens of people raised their hands. “You hear all of these politicians say they love America,” Mr. Sanders said. “If you love America, you love the future of America, which is our children.” He called for tuition-free public colleges, expanded access to trade schools and legislation guaranteeing teachers a minimum salary of $60,000.

“What we have got to do is to make it clear that we want our young people, all of our young people, regardless of their income, to be able to get the best education that they can,” he said...

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2025/08/08/bernie-sanders-wheeling-west-virginia-fighting-oligarchy-tour/stories/202508080082

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1. 📍Genuine Red Miners Bandana from Mine Wars Era on Display, WV Mine Wars Museum, Matewan, WV

We’re extremely excited about this new artifact loan from museum supporter Eddie Harless: a genuine red miner’s bandana from the Mine Wars era! We only know of one other such bandana on public display, at the West Virginia State Museum. Red bandanas were a symbol of union solidarity during the Mine Wars era.

During the 1921 Battle of Blair Mountain, which saw two irregular armies fighting without issued uniforms, the unionist miners identified themselves with red bandanas while the “defensive” forces positioned along the Spruce Fork ridge line (including Blair Mountain) wore white armbands. These bandanas gave rise to the slang term “rednecks”, referring to the multiracial, multiethnic collective that rose up in solidarity with each other to fight for their right to unionize...
https://wvminewars.org/news/banebandana

- Sanders speaks with staff at the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum in Matewan, WV, (Mingo County) during his recent tour of the area.
https://wvminewars.org/

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3. I have gone over Blair Mountain several times back in the day.

That was back in the 1970s

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5. Good for you, I haven't been in the area for a good while and going back

is on the list. Thanks for posting.

West by God Virginia!

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2. It's good to see the Capitol Theater back up and running.

It was shut down for about 4 years, mainly due to fire code violations. It took a $2M investment to get it back in business.

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4. Based on pictures the Capitol in Wheeling looks like a fine landmark bldg

est. 1928 during the era of live orchestra performances carried on radio and showings of early motion pictures.

Thanks for posting and mentioning the restoration of this cultural gem.

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6. Sen. Bernie Sanders in Asheville, North Carolina, Fighting Oligarchy Tour, Aug. 9, 2025

Event excerpts.

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7. Sen. Sanders speaks to residents in Lenore, WV, Mingo County, SW WVA Coal Country