Las Vegas Economic Justice Town Hall – LIVE with AOC, Bernie Sanders & Steven Horsford

“We don’t believe in justice because we read it in a book—we believe it because we’ve lived without it.” – Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

March 20, 2025 | Town Hall Project

Watch on YouTube

📍 Location:

Las Vegas, NV

Thousands packed into a rally in Las Vegas to hear progressive champions Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Rep. Steven Horsford speak out against corruption, corporate greed, and attacks on working-class families. The crowd heard a bold vision for economic justice, climate action, and reclaiming democracy from oligarchs and big money.

Key Takeaways:

• 💰 Economic Inequality: Billionaires like Musk and Trump are rigging the system against working people.
• 🏥 Healthcare Justice: Medicare for All is essential—60,000 die annually due to lack of access.
• 🧾 Protect Social Programs: Republicans are targeting Social Security, Medicaid, and the VA.
• 🏠 Housing Rights: Skyrocketing rents demand affordable housing and rent control.
• 🌎 Green New Deal: Urgent climate action must include millions of clean energy jobs.
• 📚 Education Access: Public colleges should be tuition-free; childcare must be affordable.
• 🗳 Democracy vs. Authoritarianism: Trump’s agenda is a threat to our freedoms.
• 🧕🏾 Inclusive Solidarity: The movement must welcome all people willing to fight for justice.
• 💸 End Corruption: Publicly funded elections are key to ending oligarchic rule.

Main Issues Explored at the Las Vegas Economic Justice Town Hall

💰 Economic Inequality & Oligarchy

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Sanders exposed the grip of billionaires on our political and economic systems. They highlighted how corporate elites are distorting democracy for personal gain.

💬 “Three billionaires now own more wealth than the bottom half of America.” – Sen. Sanders

Here’s how unchecked economic power is impacting the country:

• Corporate Greed: Elon Musk and Trump are pushing deep tax cuts while slashing social safety nets.
• Elite Disconnection: Billionaires live in private islands while everyday Americans suffer.
• Systemic Rigging: Economic policies disproportionately benefit the 1%.

📢 Closing Thought:
A just society demands a redistribution of wealth and power away from elites and toward working families.

🧾 Attacks on Social Programs

The speakers condemned the Republican budget for slashing essential services like Medicaid, Medicare, and veterans’ care—all while boosting tax breaks for billionaires.

💬 “These budgets aren’t just numbers—they’re a reflection of who we are as a country.” – Rep. Ocasio-Cortez

Here’s what’s under threat:

• Medicaid Cuts: Every House Republican voted to gut programs like the one helping “Bryce.”
• VA Dismantling: 880,000 VA jobs are on the chopping block.
• Social Security Threats: False claims are being spread to weaken it.

📢 Closing Thought:
These programs are promises we make to one another—not gifts from politicians.

💸 Corporate Greed & Political Corruption

The speakers laid out how corporate money is undermining democracy and why urgent reforms are needed.

💬 “Our country is not for sale.” – Rep. Ocasio-Cortez

These are the ways money is corrupting our system:

• Lobbyist Influence: Sanders refuses corporate donations.
• Citizens United Fallout: Billionaires buy elections, drowning out real voters.
• Corporate Welfare: Companies like Amazon and Walmart rely on public subsidies while underpaying workers.

📢 Closing Thought:
Without campaign finance reform, policies will continue to serve donors—not the people.

🏥 Healthcare as a Human Right

Healthcare took center stage as both speakers demanded an end to profiteering and inequality in medical access.

💬 “People are dying because they can’t afford to go to the doctor.” – Sen. Sanders

Here’s what’s driving the crisis:

• High Deductibles: Even insured people can’t afford care.
• Pharma Greed: Americans pay 10x more for drugs than other nations.
• 60,000 Deaths: That’s the annual toll of delayed care.

📢 Closing Thought:
Healthcare is a human right—not a privilege.

🏠 Housing & Cost of Living Crisis

With soaring costs burdening families, housing was a major focus, especially for renters in working-class neighborhoods.

💬 “A home is not a slot machine for Wall Street.” – Rep. Ocasio-Cortez

Here’s what’s making it harder to survive:

• Rent Control: Needed to curb corporate-driven price hikes.
• Affordable Housing: Call for 4 million new units.
• Cost of Living: Food, gas, childcare—all rising faster than wages.

📢 Closing Thought:
Housing is a necessity, not a commodity.

🌎 Climate Change & Green Jobs

Sanders outlined a powerful case for urgent climate action tied directly to job creation and environmental justice.

💬 “This planet cannot afford more delay—we need a Green New Deal now.” – Sen. Sanders

Key action areas include:

• Green Jobs: Millions could be created via energy transition.
• Environmental Justice: Low-income communities are hit first and hardest.
• Climate Denial: The GOP refuses to act.

📢 Closing Thought:
We owe it to future generations to act with urgency and resolve.

📚 Education & Childcare Reform

Affordable childcare and access to college were stressed as pillars of economic freedom.

💬 “Working parents can’t survive paying $20K a year for childcare on a $50K salary.” – Sen. Sanders

These solutions were presented:

• Tuition-Free College: Public higher education should be accessible.
• Childcare Workers: Deserve fair wages for essential work.
• Public School Funding: Critical for long-term equity.

📢 Closing Thought:
Education must be a public good—not a burden or luxury.

🗳 Democracy vs. Authoritarianism

Trump’s influence and allegiance to authoritarian regimes were sharply criticized.

💬 “Trump is dismantling the government piece by piece—and we cannot let him.” – Sen. Sanders

Here’s what’s at stake:

• Alliance with Autocrats: Trump sides with Putin and Netanyahu.
• Public Sector Layoffs: Designed to weaken democratic institutions.
• Freedom Threatened: Rights to speech, assembly, and protest are under attack.

📢 Closing Thought:
Democracy only survives when people fight for it.

🧕🏾 Unity & Class Solidarity

AOC delivered a heartfelt message of belonging and solidarity across identities and party lines.

💬 “If you’re willing to fight for someone you don’t know—you belong here.” – Rep. Ocasio-Cortez

Her inclusive vision included:

• Radical Empathy: Supporting trans families and all marginalized groups.
• Class Not Party: Solidarity across identity and ideology.
• Movement Building: Local organizing is just as important as voting.

📢 Closing Thought:
Victory depends on building an inclusive movement rooted in shared dignity.

Key Questions from the Las Vegas Economic Justice Town Hall

Q: What does it mean to live paycheck to paycheck?
💬 “It means choosing between medicine and rent. It’s stress. And it’s killing people earlier than the wealthy.” – Sen. Sanders

Q: Why is life expectancy dropping for the working class?
💬 “Because of chronic stress. It affects the body and the mind—poverty shortens life.” – Sen. Sanders

Q: What are Republicans doing to Medicaid and the VA?
💬 “They voted to gut Medicaid and fire 880,000 VA workers—then pretend they didn’t.” – Rep. Ocasio-Cortez

Q: What do you say to people who feel like they don’t belong in politics?
💬 “I don’t care who you voted for—you belong here if you’re willing to fight for the working class.” – Rep. Ocasio-Cortez

Q: Why do we need public campaign funding?
💬 “One person, one vote—not one billionaire, one election.” – Sen. Sanders

Call to Action – Take Action Now

🚀 Take Action – Here’s What You Can Do Next

Call Your Representatives
💬 “Your voice matters—let them know where you stand.”

Support Local Advocacy
💬 “Change starts in our backyard—get involved.”

Join a Union or Community Group
💬 “Solidarity is our superpower.”

Conclusion – The Final Call to Action

This town hall wasn’t just a rally—it was a call to arms for working families across America. The fight against corporate greed, inequality, and authoritarianism is one we can win—together.

💬 “Let’s move forward together—one policy, one voice, one future.”

Reference Section:

Sanders, B. (2025, Mar 20). LIVE from Las Vegas with @AOC and @StevenHorsford [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/live/46zhpQsMdvw