U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the former Democratic presidential candidate, spoke to a crowd of 3,000 at a North Central College gathering last Friday that was part book promotion and political rally. (Photo by Cathy Janek / for Chronicle Media).

Sen. Bernie Sanders urged a North Central College crowd to not only get involved in the political process and to bring others along with them.

At one of the largest events ever sponsored by Naperville’s Anderson’s Bookshop, the unsuccessful 2016 Democratic presidential candidate spoke to an estimated 3,000 persons on Friday at a recreation center on the suburban Naperville campus.

“Run for school board or state legislature,” said Sanders, an independent U.S. senator from Vermont. “For those that are concerned they may not have the right credentials, trust me, the people who run Washington are not geniuses.”

Sanders also noted that 46 percent of registered voters failed to participate in this month’s election.

“We have to involve people in the political process like we have never seen before,” he said. “Democracy is not a spectator sport, we must continue to fight.

“When people come together and focus on the real issues, there is nothing that will defeat us.”

Sanders’ Naperville appearance was part of a tour promoting his new book, “Our Revolution,” detailing his experiences on the campaign trail in his Democratic nomination battle with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

It also outlined Sanders’ plan for the future and includes his economic, environmental, racial, and social justice agenda.

Each attendee received a copy.

Sanders said President-elect Donald Trump understood and spoke to the “pain and despair” that many Americans feel as household incomes and medium income levels are less than they were in 1999, he said.

“People are working two or three jobs and struggling to get by and no one is paying attention,” he said.

In some parts of the country life expectancy rates are going down, Sanders pointed out.

Quoting the title of the Woody Guthrie song, Sanders asked the crowd “Which Side Are You On?” Wall Street or working families.

“We need an economy that works for all of us not just the top 1 percent,” he said. “That is immoral and unsustainable.”

The enthusiastic audience included families, diehard Sanders supporters with many wearing Bernie primary election t-shirts and others like Naperville’s Angie and Matt Russo, who bought along their three children Skylar, Bella, and Matthew Jr.

The couple said they wanted to expose their children to the political process and provide the family with a platform for discussions.

Cindy and Robert Drewes of St. Charles were part of three generations of family members, including daughter, Claire, and Cindy’s mother, Bernice Strelow, who came to the event in part to celebrate her husband Robert’s birthday.

“We came because we were feeling a little own after the election,” Cindy Drewes said. “We want to renew our hope and feel like we are going to be part of something to make positive changes.”

Likewise, Wheaton’s Alan Sobel and Page Weston also wanted to see the candidate they supported in the primary.

“I love Bernie and his energy,” Weston said.

The couple’s first grade twins also shared in their support for Sen. Sanders even writing in his name in their school’s recent mock election (although they were not quite sure how to spell his name).

A question and answer period followed, including specific and detailed questions submitted in advance and read by a moderator.

There was also a light-hearted question.

Joliet’s Jim Patnoudes asked if Sanders would officiate his wedding to fiancé Sarah Ventsias next spring?

Sanders laughed before responding,

“As a Senator from Vermont, I’m not sure if would count, but let me know when the wedding is,” he said, while waving to the couple in the audience who jumped up to wave back.

— Sanders urges Naperville crowd to get involved in political process —