Presidential Candidate Elizabeth Warren spoke of her front runner issues at the Kings Theatre, 1027 Flatbush Avenue, last night to an audience ready to stand in applause after each point.
“I could do this all night long,” said Warren. “It’s like playing your greatest hits!” Other attendees, however, felt community representation was lacking and diversity in the crowd was missing.
The event reached maximum capacity and turned away over 1,000 in line outside. Warren, along with her supporter and previous opponent Julián Castro, made the point to greet those outside before beginning the rally, pushing the start time back half an hour. The crowd roared as Warren finally took the stage. She opened the night offering her thoughts and prayers to our service members in Iraq, and our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico. “We are in the fight of our lives,” said Warren.
While the majority of attendees championed Warren all night long, others had reservations.
“I am looking at this crowd and it’s a shame this is not a more diverse group. Was there any outreach to the neighborhood?” said Maria Ramos, a long time Flatbush resident.
As an activist and contributor to the Warren campaign, Ramos expressed frustration in the lack of diversity in volunteers working the event. “Especially with Castro now on board, where are the Latino volunteers? That’s what a nominee is gonna need, diversity in their staff. Especially in a black community. This is Flatbush,” Ramos said.
Ronnette Cox, a representative for New York Communities for Change (NYCC), stated, “The moment I walked in I asked, ‘Who is on their team? Why did they not reach out to local radio?” Cox explained that the Flatbush community is also predominantly seniors, “This community is not on facebook. Where were the posters in local businesses?”
However, Cox did go on to explain that Warren’s volunteer form asked for suggestions on local institutions to reach out to. She also pointed out that the NYCC Flatbush chapter had representatives on stage for the event. Cox expressed her avid support for Warren stating, “Warren doesn’t only have talking points, she has a plan.”
Warren’s words echoed through the theatre Tuesday night: “Let’s block the revolving door between Wall Street and Washington. Let’s make the United States Supreme Court follow basic rules of ethics. It is time for a president with the courage to enforce our antitrust [laws] and break corporations up.”
The majority of those in attendance applauded Warren’s speech. Ron Gaskill, 32, believes that Warren has “the boldest vision and a very clear plan on how to get there.”
Katya Rudnik, 22, stated “What impressed me most about Warren tonight was her authenticity. She understands issues from the smallest minutia to the largest macro scale. And it shines through that she never settles for less.”
Warren and Castro stayed behind to pose for selfies with the thousands of attendees, promising a photo to every single person if they were willing to wait.
