TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Beto O’Rourke, a former U.S. representative and Texas gubernatorial and U.S. Senate candidate, spoke at the “Tide Against Trump” rally in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Thursday evening.

The event was organized by the University of Alabama College Democrats as a counterprotest to President Donald Trump’s commencement speech at the same time. O’Rourke was joined by former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, the last Democrat to hold statewide office in Alabama.  

"Overcoming Donald Trump’s dangerous attacks on our fellow Americans demands that we organize everywhere, including in communities that are too often written off or taken for granted," O'Rourke said in a statement. "While Trump is coming to Alabama to divide and demean, we are bringing people together to fight for our neighbors, our freedoms, our democracy, and our future. We invite Americans of all backgrounds to join us in uniting and proving that the power of people is bigger than the power of any president."

Aidan Meyers, a 21-year-old junior studying biology at the university, said he was upset by the decision to let Trump speak at a graduation-related event.

“I felt betrayed that the university was willing to put up with someone who has made it clear that they hate academia, essentially holding funding above universities' heads as a bargaining chip, unless they bow down to what he wants, which is kind of a hallmark sign with fascist regime,” Meyers said.

O'Rourke told the rally that Trump was trying to make the students’ graduation “all about him, true to form.” He urged students and others gathered to go out and use their voices to “win America back.”

“The power of people works in this country, even against Donald Trump,” O’Rourke said.

Jones told the crowd they were there “not just as a protest, but as a movement.”

“You are here today because you’re concerned, you’re afraid. You understand that this country’s great democracy is teetering right now with what we’re seeing going on,” the former senator said.

O’Rourke recently held a rally in Denton, Texas, Sunday, April 26. When asked if he would run for Senate again, he said he would if that’s what voters want.

“If it comes to pass that this is what the people of Texas want, that it’s the highest and best use of what I can give to you, then yes I will,” O’Rourke said.

O‘Rourke ran for Senate against Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018 and lost by less than 3 points. He then had a brief presidential campaign, but didn’t have the same success he saw during his Senate campaign. He then ran for Texas governor in 2022, but lost to incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.