Photo Story: Rally for Texas with Beto O’Rourke and Willie Nelson
Written by Jordan Steyer
Photos by Jonathan Castro and Jordan Steyer
An estimated 55,000 people attended Saturday’s rally and concert for Texas Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke. The event was free and open to the public.
The evening began at the Auditorium Shores stage with speeches from elected officials like Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Congressman Lloyd Doggett, and Austin District 4 Council Member Gregorio Casar. Then, Texas-based artists Joe Ely, Carrie Rodriguez, Tameca Jones, and Leon Bridges performed sets.
O’Rourke took the stage after the opening music performances and spoke about registering to vote and Texas voting issues, such as immigration and marijuana legalization.
Willie Nelson performed last wearing a “Beto for Senate” hat and shirt. His decision to perform was controversial for some conservative Texan voters, who support Nelson’s music but not his endorsement of O’Rourke. A Nelson spokesperson told the crowd it was the first public concert held for a political candidate. Nelson invited O’Rourke back out on stage to sing “On The Road Again” together.
As the rally came to a close, Nelson debuted a new song called “Vote ‘Em Out.”
If you don’t like who’s in there, vote ‘em out
That’s what election day is all about
And the biggest gun we’ve got is called a ballot box
If you don’t like who’s in there, vote ‘em out