At the NYC Cornel West rally

on the 2024 election part 1

Order a copy of the zine vol. ii while they’re still available and attend our launch party on 7/11.

So as the presidential elections approach, I thought we’d go over the third party situation, as I do every election year. And to do so, I’ll start (in this first part of a 2 parter) by telling you a little about my experience at the Cornel West rally in Harlem.

The Rally

I made my way out of the 125th Street 3 train station onto a bustling Lenox Ave, passing the famous Sylvia’s Restaurant, elders chatting it up in their folding chairs, and reggae blasting out of someone’s car. As I walked into Marcus Garvey Park, I struggled to find the location of the rally, as there was little indication in the invite nor signage in the park as to where exactly it was all going down.

After passing a guy who was peeing against a wall (and pretending to not notice), I found a park worker who directed me toward the amphitheater, which was possibly only 15% full at the start time of the event. The stage was covered in official campaign signs as well as hand made ones, as the sounds of upbeat, early 80s post-disco hits filled the space. I greeted West’s campaign manager Edwin DeJesus (who appeared on the pod), then approached Brother West, who–despite it already being past the start time–was holding an impromptu press conference.