An event in Denver promoted as a historic gathering against “oligarchy” is now facing scrutiny after location data revealed that many in attendance were repeat protesters connected to various leftist causes. The rally, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), was portrayed as a sign of grassroots momentum. But digital tracking suggests the crowd was anything but organic.
Sanders claimed more than 34,000 people filled Civic Center Park for the event. However, a detailed analysis based on smartphone GPS signals showed only 20,189 unique devices were present. The discrepancy raised questions, but it was the backgrounds of those attending that drew the most attention.
🚨🇺🇸 GPS DATA EXPOSES ASTROTURFING AT DENVER BERNIE-AOC RALLY
That massive Bernie Sanders and AOC rally in Denver? Turns out it wasn’t as “grassroots” as advertised.
Despite claims of 34,000 attendees, GPS data analysis reveals the real number was closer to 20,000—still big,… https://t.co/Mw3WLhxfWk pic.twitter.com/V4dXwqumNT
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 23, 2025
Data analyst Tony Seruga, who reviewed the data using behavioral tracking tools, found that 84% of the attendees had been to nine or more left-wing demonstrations in recent years. Around 31% had taken part in over 20 events. These included past rallies supporting Kamala Harris, protests aligned with Antifa and pro-Palestinian marches.
GPS—Here we go again, there were 20,189 devices. Still a large crowd but not even close to the 30,000 quoted in Denver newspapers nor the 34,000 quoted by Bernie Sanders and AOC.
84% of the devices present had attended 9 or more Kamala Harris rallies, antifa/blm, pro-Hamas,… https://t.co/zQuvc0ATx5
— Tony Seruga (@TonySeruga) March 23, 2025
The analysis didn’t stop at location history. Devices were also tracked for proximity to organizers and activists tied to five key groups: Rise & Resist, Indivisible Project, Troublemakers, Disruption Project and the Democratic Socialists of America. Each of these groups has received financial backing through ActBlue. At least three have also been linked to USAID funding streams.
BREAKING: 🚨 GPS data reveals Bernie / AOC turnout was NOT organic.
➠ 84% of the devices present at the Bernie / AOC rally in Denver attended 9 or more Kamala Harris rallies, antifa/BLM, pro-H-mas and pro-Palestinian protests.
➠ 31% of the devices had attended over 20.… pic.twitter.com/WQ1FJDEiKn
— mandala (@mandala_mandy) March 23, 2025
Device owners were identified using cross-referenced databases containing demographic and behavioral information, including tools from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and private research firms. Seruga’s team mapped how these individuals consistently moved within activist networks over time, showing patterns far from spontaneous.
🚨BREAKING: GPS data shows that AOC and Bernie Sanders lied about the size of their crowd and lied about the crowd being organic.
— Philip Anderson (@VoteHarrisOut) March 24, 2025
The same strategy was visible during Kamala Harris’ 2024 campaign, when organizers used buses and NGO networks to fill venues. At the Denver event, the pattern was repeated, with the bulk of attendees already deeply embedded in ongoing protest operations.
That massive Bernie Sanders and AOC rally in Denver? Turns out it wasn’t as “grassroots” as advertised.
Despite claims of 34,000 attendees, GPS data analysis reveals the real number was closer to 20,000—still big, but not record-breaking.
More revealing? A whopping 84% of… pic.twitter.com/pEQqBIpboB
— Johnny Midnight ⚡️ (@its_The_Dr) March 24, 2025
The timing of the rally came just days after a CNN poll put Democratic Party favorability at 27%. With momentum slipping, the appearance of a large crowd gave Democrats a needed photo opportunity — but the data shows it was built on the same activist base, not new support.
Among the five organizations tracked, the Disruption Project stood out for lacking clear legal status, unlike the others registered as 501c4s or for-profits.
