PHOTOS: 'I am back,' Bernie Sanders tells supporters at NYC rally

Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

NEW YORK (AP) — Storming past questions about his health, Bernie Sanders vowed that he's "more ready than ever" to fight for a political revolution — with a little help from new friends — at a rally Saturday that drew thousands to a New York City park. The rally offered a pointed reminder to skeptics in both political parties that the 78-year-old democratic socialist is still very much a force in the 2020 presidential race.

Sanders opened his remarks by apologizing that he secured a permit for only 20,000 people. His campaign, he said, was forced to close the gates on many more people who were trying to enter the Queens park just across the river from Manhattan.

"To put it bluntly, I am back," Sanders declared, sparking chants of, "Bernie is back" from the massive crowd.

"I am happy to report to you that I am more than ready — more ready than ever — to carry on with you on the epic struggle that we face today," he added. "I am more than ready to assume the office of president of the United States."

The event marked Sanders' formal return to the campaign trail less than three weeks after he suffered a heart attack that threatened both his life and political future. Even before that, he was in danger of falling out of the top-tier in the 2020 Democratic primary field. Polls suggest he's lagging behind liberal rival Elizabeth Warren and establishment favorite Joe Biden.

But the fiery Brooklyn native, backed by a slate of new endorsements and two new stents in an artery connected to his heart, appeared to be expanding his coalition on Saturday.

A security company hired by the campaign reported a crowd estimate of 25,000. Among those speaking, filmmaker and activist Michael Moore told the cheering crowd that he was endorsing Sanders, shortly before Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., praised the Vermont senator on stage.

"Bernie Sanders fought for me," Ocasio-Cortez said as she introduced Sanders.

She heaped praise on the Vermont senator but did not explicitly say that she was endorsing him. The Sanders campaign announced earlier in the week that she had.

Before the rally, Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir said endorsements this past week from Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., in particular were proof that the Sanders campaign is growing. He predicted that they would especially help Sanders strengthen his support among young, minority voters.

"Those are two people who I think have immense power to mobilize young people, and I promise you you'll be seeing them in Iowa, but not only in Iowa, but around the country, trying to get people engaged around the issues," Shakir said.

For now, at least, Sanders can use the help.

While he insists he's ready to move forward, he's doing so cautiously. Saturday's rally was his only scheduled appearance before he returns to Iowa late in the coming week. (AP)

Photography by Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News

Read Story by Brittany Shepherd and Christopher Wilson: Ocasio-Cortez throws her support to Bernie Sanders ?

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A man wearing a mask of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., poses with people as they attend a campaign rally in Long Island City, N.Y., Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A man wearing a mask of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., poses with people as they attend a campaign rally in Long Island City, N.Y., Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Gabriel from Queens volunteered to help at the Bernie's Back Rally for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Gabriel from Queens volunteered to help at the Bernie's Back Rally for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A young supporter just enjoys some play time before the start of the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A young supporter just enjoys some play time before the start of the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
The young supporters await Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as he campaigns at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
The young supporters await Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as he campaigns at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A supporter holds up a sign Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as he campaigns at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A supporter holds up a sign Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as he campaigns at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A supporters wears campaign buttons while waiting for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as he campaigns at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A supporters wears campaign buttons while waiting for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as he campaigns at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Cole works as a volunteer for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as he campaigns at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Cody works as a volunteer for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as he campaigns at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Supporters await Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as he campaigns at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Supporters await Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as he campaigns at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Supporters await Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as he campaigns at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Supporters await Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as he campaigns at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Jane Sanders, the wife of Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Jane Sanders, the wife of Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Supporters await Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as he campaigns at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Supporters await Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as he campaigns at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Filmmaker Michael Moore speaks at a campaign rally of 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders in Long Island City, N.Y., Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Filmmaker Michael Moore speaks at a campaign rally of 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders in Long Island City, N.Y., Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Supporters hold up sign at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Supporters hold up sign at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
The mayor of the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico Carmen Yul?-n Cruz speaks at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
The mayor of the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico Carmen Yul?-n Cruz speaks at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, speaks at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, speaks at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Supporters await Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as he campaigns at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Supporters await Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as he campaigns at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, speaks at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, speaks at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, speaks at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, speaks at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, stand on stage with Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, stand on stage with Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, stand on stage with Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, stand on stage with Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks at the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders leads through the crowd at a rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders leads through the crowd at a rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Supporters head home  after attending the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Supporters head home after attending the Bernie's Back Rally in Long Island City, New York on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

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