Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has announced that his next digital rally on Tuesday, March 17th will feature performances from Neil Young and his wife Daryl Hanna, as well as Jim James with The Free Nationals. In response to the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and state bans on mass gatherings across the country, both Sanders and his opponent Joe Biden have announced that they will hold digital rallies for the foreseeable future.
Sanders’ next rally is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the same day as primary elections in key battleground states including Arizona, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio. Young recently made a statement on his Neil Young Archives website endorsing Sanders, and this will mark the recently-naturalized American citizen’s first opportunity to vote in a U.S. election.
“I support Bernie because I listen to what he says,” Young said. “Every point he makes is what I believe in. Every one. In 2016, if Bernie had run instead of Hillary Clinton, I think we would not have the incompetent mess we have now. I believe Bernie Sanders. I think Bernie Sanders is the Real Deal.”
My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James has also voiced his support for the Democratic Socialist candidate, joining the likes of other artists including The Strokes, Jack White, Phish‘s Jon Fishman and Mike Gordon, and many more.
“There are so many of us that just want to find common ground with all living beings so that we can move forward together as a world to live in peace, good health, and equality,” James said in a statement. “Bernie speaks and lives the truth and has worked his entire life fighting for truth and justice – bringing people together for the common good and that is why I believe he can help unite us now.”
The Free Nationals, best known as the backing band for hip-hop/R&B performer Anderson .Paak, have also recently come out in support of Sanders’ modern ideas.
“His progressive positions on universal healthcare, immigration and education make him the clear choice for us in the primaries,” Kelsey Gonzalez of The Free Nationals said. “We’re looking forward to supporting him tomorrow.”
The rally will be streamed live via Sanders’ website at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17th.