Showing Up is Great. What Happens Next Matters the Most.

By: Abbie Mood

In a time of deepening polarization and political urgency, rallies are more than just events — they’re modern-day movements in motion. People don’t just show up to listen; they come to feel informed, inspired, and connected. There’s nothing quite like standing shoulder to shoulder with thousands of others who also believe in something bigger than themselves.

Rallies do more than fill a space, they spark momentum. They energize supporters, create a powerful visual of collective strength, and foster a deep sense of community. Most importantly, for many, attending a rally is the first step towards political action, leading to deeper involvement and sustained activism.

My very first political rally was during Barack Obama’s second campaign. It wasn’t until President Obama that I really started to pay attention to politics. My momentum grew over time, but seeing and hearing Obama in person was an experience I will never forget.

I’ve gone to other rallies since living in Colorado, and while I wasn’t able to actually attend the recent rally with Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, we did take a few laps around the park to hear her speak and take in the energy of the crowd.

Some 34,000 people showed up that day. It was the largest gathering that either politician had ever held, and was the largest rally in Colorado since Obama in 2008. A few days later, more than 23,000 people came out in Tucson for the biggest political rally Arizona has seen.

Bernie and AOC have steadily built their followings by being authentic, having a clear message, and demonstrating a relentless commitment to working-class people. They are everything the Democratic party has been lacking, and it wasn’t just Coloradoans who showed up in support.

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I don’t fully agree with every single idea that AOC or Bernie have/have had, but I do appreciate their energy in speaking up for regular people. I appreciate that they say out loud that healthcare is a human right, social security should be protected, and the economy should work for everyone.

Bernie’s rallies have long been known for their grassroots feel and immense turnout, echoing his core message that real change comes from the bottom up. AOC, too, commands huge audiences, drawing people in with her bold vision, ability to cut through political BS, and a deeply relatable approach to systemic issues. Together, they’ve redefined what political rallies can look like: multigenerational, multiracial, and fiercely hopeful.

And the Republican party has noticed. They have attempted to downplay the impact of these rallies by resorting to false claims that attendees are paid to show up, claiming the crowds don’t mean anything.

If the rallies don’t matter, why work so hard to discredit them?

They know that no one needs to be paid to hear leaders like Bernie and AOC speak. People attend because they care. Because the stakes are high. And because the message resonates.

The right’s disinformation campaign is never about attacking individual leaders — it’s about trying to minimize a movement.

That’s why it’s not enough to just show up at these events, but we also have to take action after the crowds disperse. We have to ride the wave of energy to create actual change.

Keep the Momentum Going

I know from personal experience that attending a rally can be an amazing, uplifting experience. But the real work begins when the speeches end.

Here are five ways to turn post-rally energy into action that has a lasting impact:

1. Volunteer: Whether it’s phone banking, canvassing, or helping organize locally, campaigns and causes always need more hands on deck. Start where you live.

2. Donate (if you can): Small-dollar donations are the backbone of grassroots campaigns. Even $5 helps push back against big-money interests.

3. Stay informed and share resources: Follow trusted news sources, subscribe to campaign and political organization newsletters, and share accurate information on social media to support others while combating misinformation.

4. Mobilize the people in your life: Talk to friends, coworkers, and family members. Help register people to vote. Host a political movie night or reading group. Movement-building starts in your own circles.

5. Hold local officials accountable: Attend city council meetings, go to town halls, write to your representatives, and advocate for local policy change. It’s easier to see change within your community, which will keep you motivated when things feel more helpless on a national scale.
   
   

In the end, rallies are important not only because of who’s on the stage, but because of who’s in the crowd. We are the movement. We are the ones who get to be a part of the change. And in today’s political climate, we need all of us.

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