Michael Stipe Introduces Bernie Sanders at Coney Island Rally

Today, R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe introduced presidential candidate Bernie Sanders to a packed crowd at Coney Island for a rally in the lead-up to New York’s Democratic primary on April 19. Stipe cited Senator Sanders’ long-standing commitment to racial justice and economic equality as reasons for his support. “Over the years of traveling across the United States and outside of America with my former band, I have discovered within myself an underlying but potent appreciation for justice and common decency,” Stipe said. “I seek out leaders who represent themselves honestly and fairly, and who share the same appreciation of justice.” Bon Iver‘s Justin Vernon expressed a similar sentiment when he introduced Sanders last week. Watch Stipe’s speech below.

Read our interview with the singer from around the release of R.E.M.’s penultimate album Accelerate.

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