[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNXLJYv_1E0]By MICHAEL NUNES
Staff Writer
RED BANK — Hundreds took to the streets of Red Bank to show support for the Bern.
Around 400 marched through the streets of Red Bank on April 2, starting at the train station and finishing at Riverside Gardens Park where several speakers attempted to pump the crowd up for the Democratic Primary election between Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on June 7.
The march was organized by Red Bank residents Kate Triggiano and Boris Kofman.
“This gets people together who are ready to support the campaign before it hits the ground in New Jersey,” Triggiano said.
“This is basically a kickoff in preparation to get the grassroots people and other people who may be more interested in getting fully involved in the campaign signed up.”
The marchers of all ages assembled at the train station on Monmouth Street and made their way through the borough’s downtown chanting “Feel the Bern” and “New Jersey wants Bernie” as they made their way to Riverside Gardens.
Many first-time voters turned out for the event, looking forward to the possibility of backing their candidate not only in the primary, but as they hoped, in the November general election.
“It’ll be my first time voting, I’m really excited for it,” said Claudio Catejo-Tapia, one of the many millennials who attended the event, who added that the candidate’s position of health care and criminal justice reform swayed him.
The fact that a large number of younger voters attended the event was not lost on others.
“These are the people who see the future. They have to deal with credit card debt and student loan debt and the influence of money on campaigns. You know they’re looking at the long game, and Bernie is their candidate,” said Michael Ballard, a resident of the borough.
Many parents who backed Sanders also brought their children to the rally.
“I’m a single mom of three wonderful daughters with one about to go to college. We’re making it, but we’re not ‘making it’ so we’re here to support Bernie in the hopes he’ll get on the ballot and [get] the Democratic nomination,”said Cobi Cronen, a Manalapan resident who attended the event with her three daughters.
Both Republicans and Democrats are holding primaries in New Jersey on June 7. For Democrats, 142 delegates are up for grabs while Republicans have 51.
