A Working-Class Fisherman Travels to Philly, Rooting For Bernie (Video)
Inspired by the Sanders political revolution, John Ainsworth left his home in Rhode Island to protest at the Democratic National Convention.“I’m just a voice of a million voices that wants to be heard.” The voice is John Ainsworth, a self-described “father and commercial fisherman,” who traveled from Rhode Island to join the demonstrations outside the Democratic National Convention. Like many other demonstrators, he has been camping out in a Philadelphia park since Monday.
“I’d never been politically involved in anything,” Ainsworth told Truthdig contributor Sonali Kolhatkar outside City Hall. So what inspired him to go to Philadelphia? “The power of the movement,” Ainsworth says. “I think Bernie Sanders is a once-in-a-lifetime candidate.”
Even though Hillary Clinton is the official nominee, Ainsworth doesn’t feel she represents his interests. When Kolhatkar asks him why, Ainsworth responds:
She’s not one of my people, I’m not one of her people. … She’s the billionaire class, just like Trump. They say Trump can’t be bought because he’s a billionaire. Of course he loves money! Of course he can be bought—it’s just a very high price. And the price is our lives.
He also explains that although fishermen sometimes get “a bad rep,” he cares deeply about the environment. “I’ve never been much of a protester of anything.” Ainsworth notes, “I know I’m only one voice out of I don’t know how many, but I’m here shouting as loud as I can.” Watch the full video below:
Check out more of Kolhatkar’s video reports from the convention here.
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