Kim Gordon and Mark Hamill react as Bernie Sanders suspends presidential campaign

Figures from the music and entertainment world have been having their say on Bernie Sanders’ decision to suspend his US presidential campaign.

The senator made his staff aware that he would be stepping down from the 2020 race during a conference call today (April 8), the BBC report. He had become a frontrunner in the Democratic nomination contest earlier this year.

Throughout his campaign, Sanders received support from artists such as The Strokes, Public Enemy and Bon Iver, with each having performed at rallies or on live-streamed events.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Bernie Sanders in his run for the US Democratic nomination (Photo by Kena Betancur/Getty Images)

Among the first to react to today’s news was former Sonic Youth singer Kim Gordon, who last month endorsed Sanders by taking part in a bizarre mock baking tutorial.

“Thank you @BernieSanders for putting great ideas above politics and having the courage to stand by them! And Actually meaning what you say! You brought meaning to politics!” Gordon wrote on Twitter.

In a follow-up tweet, she added: “Even though [Sanders] has suspended his campaign we can still cast a vote for him on the ballot and continue to collect delegates to exert influence on the party platform at the convention.”

“Thank you Bernie Sanders,” said Star Wars actor Mark Hamill. “You would have had my enthusiastic vote had you prevailed. Grateful for all you have contributed to the future of this nation & for graciously putting [the] country first.”

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, meanwhile, shared his “solidarity” with the politician. “The struggle for a better world goes on,” he wrote above a similar message from Sanders.

Lucy Dacus also gave her thanks, posting on Twitter: “I’m proud to have supported Bernie and to continue to learn from him through the work he has always done and will continue to do to benefit the voiceless and marginalised.”

Explaining that his decision had been “very difficult and painful” to make, Sanders said: “If I believed we had a feasible path to the nomination, I would certainly continue.”

He went on to discuss how the campaign had “transformed American consciousness as to what kind of nation we can become and have taken this country a major step forward in the never-ending struggle for economic justice, social justice, racial justice and environmental justice.”

Joe Biden now looks set to be named the Democratic party’s nominee in August. The former Vice President will then go up against current POTUS Donald Trump during the November general election.








Over the weekend, Justin Vernon debuted a new Bon Iver song during Bernie Sanders’ live-streamed “virtual town hall” event. Also performing in the broadcast was Soccer Mommy.

Earlier in the year, The Strokes played at Sanders’ rally in Durham, New Hampshire, where they debuted two then-unreleased songs. Julian Casablancas and co. later put their range of Bernie Sanders T-shirts on sale to the public.

 

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