Hillary Clinton held a last-minute rally at Long Beach City College liberal arts campus gymnasium Monday, where she promised to create more jobs in infrastructure, manufacturing and shipping.
The rally was held the day before California’s presidential primary, which she won by a margin of 12.6 percent.
Before Clinton addressed her supporters, state and local politicians took the stage endorsing her run for the White House.
LBCC President Eloy Oakley started off the event by welcoming Clinton and all in attendance to Long Beach.
“You all see the wonderful diversity that Long Beach City College is,” said Oakley. “And I just want to remind us all that diversity is what makes… this city great and that diversity is what makes our nation great.”
Continuing in his opening remarks, Oakley praised the Clintons on their continuous commitment to public education.
“During President Bill Clinton’s administration, he came to Long Beach and visited our public schools, so he knows the importance of public education,” Oakley said. “So we’re thrilled to have Secretary Hillary Clinton here today to continue to talk about public education and the great things that are happening in Long Beach.”
Before Clinton took the stage, she was introduced by Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia.
Garcia, a Cal State Long Beach alumnus, commended Clinton’s pro-education policies.
“Like you, I want a president who’s going to stand up for teachers, for students and for our schools,” Garcia said.
When Clinton took the stage, she was greeted by a crowd of about 300 attendees.
“I have a special place in my heart for Long Beach,” said the former secretary of state. “…when my husband was president, we worked closely with your then-mayor, Mayor O’Neil,… as you began really moving into the future, revitalizing Long Beach. We are proud of what Long Beach has become and I want to be a good partner for this city.”
Clinton commended Long Beach on all the progress that has been achieved by the city, while promising to bring back jobs and create a higher standard of living.
She specifically mentioned using Long Beach’s port to increase the amount of exports from the U.S.
Clinton supporters from all across the country waited in a line that wrapped around the college campus.
One such supporter was David Dickson.
Dickson, who is from Sarasota, Fla., said he has been following Clinton’s campaign across the U.S. for months. He sells merchandise such as t-shirts and buttons with Clinton’s campaign slogans.
“It’s [my way] of supporting her,” he said. “We do make a profit, but you have to be a supporter to do this… I’ve been through 46 states with this campaign.”
Some attendees waited in line all day for a chance to get into the rally, as was the case of Arlene Castilla.
Castilla, who is from Upland, said she had been waiting in line since 7:15 a.m.
“We actually got here late today,” she said, “Usually we’re [at the rallies] at about 4 a.m. or 4:30 a.m.”
Castilla said this is the third Hillary rally she has attended, in addition to attending two of Bill Clinton’s rallies during his election campaigns.
“[Hillary’s] the most qualified, she’s got the education, she’s got the background and she’s the future,” said Castilla.
Castilla was not the only one who shared the belief that Clinton is the future.
“Why Hillary?” said Suzanne Reina, state and local coordinator for the Los Angeles Democratic Party. “She’s the most qualified person in the United States of America to ever run for president of this country.”
However, not everyone present all the rally was chanting “Hill yes.”
Drawing a crowd of hundreds, Clinton discussed her goals to increase jobs and the standard of living in Long Beach.
Members of the national organization Military Families Speak Out stood outside of the gym with signs asking Clinton to talk about the war.
“We support the troops but we want them home now,” said Pat Alviso, a member of the group.
Alviso said that the members of the organization attend rallies for all the presidential candidates, in hopes that they will address the issue of war and bringing troops home.
“We’re here for two reasons,” she said. “One is to see if Hillary Clinton will meet with us… and the second thing is to bring up the issue of the war so that it’s not shoved off the table and put aside like it’s not that important.”
After Clinton’s rally at LBCC she went to Los Angeles for a “She’s With Us” concert at the Greek Theatre.