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An anxious and expectant crowd murmured excitedly as the main hall of the Ann Arbor Art Museum filled with people early afternoon on Oct. 6.  Latin and pop music played loudly as people gathered.  From scrubs and skirts, to burqas and blazers, the people waited.

Alum and students took the stage to speak about issues that have affected them on a personal level: the right to health care, the importance of abolishing student loan debt and the need to raise the minimum wage for workers. Paul Saginaw, co-founder of Zingerman’s Delicatessen, spoke on behalf of the severe minimum wage problems, and how raising the minimum wage not only creates better employees, but allows them to survive in an economy that doesn’t support those who only earn $7.25 an hour.

Sen. Sanders approached the stage and the crowd roared with admiration. He held the podium, humble and strong, surveying the crowd. Sanders began his 35-minute speech with an apology for those who couldn’t get inside.  According to Sanders, our job as a country is to support and defend the middle class and it begins with the millions of Americans who vote on election day.

“If we are to start transforming this country, we need to start the day after election day, on a progressive agenda that demands we support the needs of the middle class and not just the millionaires,” Sanders said. “American workers are sick and tired of a government that allows massive levels of income and wealth inequality, a broken criminal justice system, they are tired of a government not moving as quickly as it could to prevent climate change, which must be done.”

Seeing as many American citizens end up with tens of thousands of dollars in debt from college and student loans, Sanders proposed his plan to make sure that the government is investing in the future of the country, and not just those who can afford it.

“When you leave school, we want you to go out and start your lives doing the work you want to do,” said Sanders. “[Hillary] is proposing to allow people with student debt to refinance their debt at the lowest interest rate they can find, significantly reducing the debt burden for millions of Americans.” Sanders painted an image of children who will never be able to attend college due to the massive amount of money that not all families can find. Sanders promoted public colleges and severe reductions to the amount of money that is required to attend colleges.

Donald Trump, during the debate on Sept. 16, described his unreleased tax returns as a “smart,” damaging his reputation, seeing that he is the first presidential candidate who hasn’t released his tax returns.

“I’ve been running all over this country talking about the broken economy, and in one day, he did more than I did in a year, in a day, by exposing the corruption in our political system,” Sanders said.

Sanders pleaded with the crowd to steer clear of political gossip and polls, as the media is quick to judge with little-to-no evidence. People of America need to understand hard facts and solid evidence.

“You judge which candidate is better for me? Which candidate is better for my kids and my parents?” Sanders said. “And I think any objective assessment of Clinton’s agenda versus Trump’s agenda, it becomes clear, that by far, Hillary Clinton is the superior candidate and should be elected President.”

Sanders spoke on his fears that the United States is slowly becoming an oligarchy. One person, one vote. Those governed must give consent to be governed.

“Democracy means that billionaires should not be able to buy elections,” Sanders said. “Everyone needs to pay their fair share of taxes.”

Sen. Sanders talked about women’s rights and the wage gap. After each sentence the audience roared, the women of the mass whooping and hollering.

“This is not rocket science, this is basic justice. Equal pay for equal work. We are going to fight for pay equity for women workers,” Sanders said. Hillary understands, according to Sanders, that it is an embarrassment that women to earn 79 cents to a man’s dollar.

Hillary is a woman of science, according to Sanders. It is fundamental that a presidential candidate is intelligent and listens to fact-based evidence.

“Climate change is real, climate change is caused by human ability,” Sanders said. “[Climate Change] will cause international conflict, as we fight for limited natural resources. That is what the scientists are telling us. Hillary Clinton is listening to science.”

“It’s easy to give good speeches,” Sanders said. “It’s harder to take bold action.”

The rally ended unceremoniously, the people edging forwards to shake the hand of Sen. Sanders and shouting praise. He humbly walked out.