Justin Vernon of Bon Iver introduced Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders at a rally in his hometown of Eau Claire, Wisconsin this morning. As NME reports, Vernon spoke in front of the 3400-person crowd assembled at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s W.L. Zorn Arena, endorsing the Vermont senator in his speech. “With the vacancy in the office of the President of the United States there lies an opportunity,” Vernon said. “For some of the candidates I feel the personal and political nature of this opportunity has eclipsed their obligation to the people and some have lost sight of the idea that every person is created equal. That every person has the right to have their life protected within the integrity of justice, their liberties celebrated and their pursuit of happiness fully allowed. I feel that Senator Sanders looks at this as not a personal opportunity but as a charge with which only he has the courage and ability to fulfill.” Watch below.

Other musicians that have previously campaigned for Bernie Sanders include Killer Mike, Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig and Dirty Projectors’ Dave Longstreth, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the Thermals.

With the vacancy in the office of the President of the United States there lies an opportunity. For some of the candidates I feel the personal and political nature of this opportunity has eclipsed their obligation to the people and some have lost sight of the idea that every person is created equal. That every person has the right to have their life protected within the integrity of justice, their liberties celebrated and their pursuit of happiness fully allowed. “I feel that Senator Sanders looks at this as not a personal opportunity but as a charge with which only he has the courage and ability to fulfil. We have this great country. We have this human chance to take care of this freedom. To make good on its promise. To do what others couldn’t do before us. Like rid our beautiful constitution of any financial corporate chokehold. To free our lawmakers so they can use their brains and their hearts, not their pocketbooks, as guides. So we can go on knowing our country is in it for the people, not just some people’s money. “I cannot imagine a more important task, a task that if completed would have incalculable positive effects on our communities, every community, every race, every gender, every person with an American dream. So it is my deep and noble honour to introduce the person who I believe can accomplish this in our name, Senator Bernie Sanders.” Read more at http://www.nme.com/news/bon-iver/92696#sUrp7umiqHslbG6v.99

A photo posted by @blobtower on Apr 4, 2016 at 7:50am PDT