5 Takeaways from Hillary Clinton’s Leimert Park Rally

Democratic frontrunner holds Southern California rally the day before state’s June 7 primary

Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton made a few stops around Los Angeles on Monday, holding rallies to speak to her Southern California supporters ahead of the state’s primary on Tuesday.

1. A diverse crowd of supporters

Clinton attracted a crowd of 500-600 people to Leimert Park Village Plaza, the majority of whom were black or Hispanic, a noticeably more diverse crowd than at Bernie Sanders’ rally in Santa Monica two weeks ago.

Anthony Carter, a Clinton supporter, said some of her appeal among African-American voters comes thanks to her husband’s track record as president. According to Carter, the African-American community saw their status rise under the first Clinton administration, and he expects that “Hillary Clinton will do the same.”

Hillary Clinton Rally

2. Famous friends

Before Clinton’s own speech, a few of her Hollywood torchbearers took the stage to pump up the crowd, including Jamie Foxx, Star Jones and “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star Tatyana Ali.

“Are you ready for a woman in the White House? I’m ready,” Jones called to the crowd. “We’re about to make history tomorrow. California is going to do it … 44 boys is enough.”

A few hours later, Clinton would head to the Greek Theatre for a concert fundraiser, featuring even more of her famous supporters, including Christina Aguilera, John Legend and Stevie Wonder.

Hillary Clinton Rally

3. Shouldn’t you be in school?

Dozens of reporters came out to cover the rally, but one stuck out like a sore thumb: 14-year-old Solal Choffat, reporting for Swiss TV. We asked him what he was doing here. (And where his mom was.) He said he loved politics and came to cover the event. We’re still not sure why Swiss TV would send a kid to this event, but we liked his chutzpah.

Hillary Clinton Rally

4. Thanks for playing, Bernie

While it seems likely that Clinton will clinch the nomination following the California primary on Tuesday, her supporters bore no malice toward Bernie Sanders and his ongoing campaign. In fact, the Democratic voters at the campaign event said Sanders’ stubborn refusal to withdraw is making Clinton a better candidate.

“I don’t think he’s hurting Clinton, I like that he gives her something to compete for.” said Hayley Hutt, a first-time voter and student at Cal State, Monterey Bay.

Shon Fuller, a Clinton supporter and Leimert Park resident, added, “It’s the beauty of our system, if you’re a candidate you should be able to stand on your own two feet.”

Hillary Clinton

5. Go home, Donald

Clinton herself didn’t even mention Sanders in her address, her focus already on the general election in November and Donald Trump. Clinton spent nearly half her speech going after the presumptive Republican nominee.

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