Hundreds perhaps thousands of people have already began to gather in Hartford on Monday to attend Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders' second rally in the U.S. state of Connecticut, after having been in New Haven advocating for universal affordable education.
"Why are we punishing millions of people for getting an education?" questioned Sanders referring to the people in the U.S. who spend years paying off their student debt. "We must make public colleges and universities tuition-free. This is not a radical idea ... People should not have their economic future destroyed because they went to college."
IN DEPTH:
US Elections
The Senator from Vermont also spoke of drugs, specifically the growing heroing addiction in many states across the United States, calling for a revolutionary approach to mental health treatment.
"When people need mental health treatment they get it today, not six months from now," Sanders said. "Now in that context, I'm not quite sure why your governor has cut mental health treatment in Connecticut."
His rally this morning will take place at 10:00 a.m. local time at the Mortensen Riverfront Plaza in the Riverfront Amphitheater.
Sanders campaign organizers told reporters that the event is free and open to all, although admission is based on first come, first served.
ANALYSIS:
The Appropriation of Bernie Sanders
Speaking to NBC Connecticut's Matt Austin before Sunday night's rally, Sanders said Connecticut is an important state for him and he thinks he could have a shot.
"Connecticut is important, it has a lot of delegates, I want to win as many as possible," he said. "I believe if there is a large voter turnout on Tuesday we stand a good chance to win. If voter turnout is low, we probably won't win."
After losing in the New York primary last week against Hillary Clinton, Sanders' campaign manager Jeff Weaver assured his boss would his fight all the way to the July Democratic convention in Philadelphia.
ANALYSIS:
Bernie Sanders' Path Forward
When asked about this, Sanders only went as far as saying he was focused on California’s Democratic primary which is to take place June 7.
“We intend to take the fight all the way to California,” Sanders said on ABC’s “This Week With George Stephanopoulos,” “so people throughout this country have a right to determine who they want as president and what kind of agenda they want for the Democratic Party.”