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Sanders Talks Free Tuition, Justice Reform At UNR

Julia Ritchey

Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders spoke to a revved up crowd at the University of Nevada, Reno on Tuesday. Our reporter Julia Ritchey was there and has this report.

 
Sanders spoke for more than an hour, his voice growing hoarse at points, hitting hard on progressive themes of economic and social justice.

More than 1,000 people showed up to hear the Vermont senator speak. With many UNR students in attendance, the senator got some of his biggest applause for his stance on college tuition.

"That is why I have introduced legislation that would make every public college and university in this country tuition free," he said.

Sanders' campaign has been gaining steam, drawing crowds of more than 10,000 people at recent stops in Portland and Seattle. 

Local Deb Lander has been a longtime supporter and lists off the campaign issues most important to her.

"Health care for everyone, that's the big one, a higher minimum wage, free tuition I think would be awesome because tuition is just stupid expensive," said Lander. 

The senator also touched on issues of racial discrimination and police brutality after receiving criticism from activists at previous rallies. 

"I know that I speak for everyone in saying that we will not accept seeing unarmed African-Americans shot in the back or dragged out of cars and and thrown into jail," he said. 

Sanders was in Nevada with his main rival Hillary Clinton to speak to union leaders at a conference in Las Vegas. The Silver State is already proving to be a crucial stop for candidates, with GOP hopeful Jeb Bush making a fourth visit to Reno last week.

Julia Ritchey is a former reporter at KUNR Public Radio.
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