Bernie Sanders denounces global wealth concentration and war at historic Riverside Church
Senator Bernie Sanders spoke at New York's Riverside Church, linking rising military spending to growing inequality and urging action against the war in the Middle East.
At the historic Riverside Church, a venue once used by Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela, Senator Bernie Sanders delivered a speech that tied together military overspending and social injustice. Citing King’s critique of a nation that prioritizes defense over welfare, Sanders noted that the United States now spends over a trillion dollars each year on its armed forces while many citizens lack basic necessities.
He condemned the war in Palestine and the wider Middle-East violence that intensified after recent actions by Israel and the United States. Referencing UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Sanders warned of existential threats such as unchecked AI, climate change, and rising inequality. He argued that a small global elite now controls unprecedented wealth and power, likening the situation to 19th-century monarchies, and called for governments worldwide to prioritize feeding children, protecting vulnerable populations, and addressing climate change.
Why it matters
The speech spotlights growing concerns over military spending, inequality and ongoing Middle-East conflict, influencing public debate.
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