Local woman hopes Obama rally will help change U.S. politics

Elvira Diaz boxes up a peach pie and yells at a customer in a thick Spanish accent.

"You going to see Obama?" she asks.

The customer looks at Diaz.

"Who's Obama?"

Diaz tells the customer, an older woman, that she has free tickets for a rally in Reno supporting Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

The woman remembers the name but says Obama is too young and doesn't have enough experience.

No, the woman says, she won't go.

"Ooo, for heavens sakes," she says. "No, I don't have time."

Diaz, the owner of Sierra Bakery, asks another woman and gets her and her son to leave with a few tickets.

She said she's passing out the tickets because America needs a change.

"Maybe the mother cannot vote, but he can vote," she added. "So he can be our vote."

Though Diaz is supporting Hillary Clinton for president, she said people need to learn about the race and not waste their vote by supporting the wrong candidate or not voting.

"The worst thing you can do in a democracy is not participate," she said. "If you don't participate in the system, the system won't do anything for you."

Diaz, who described herself as a political activist, said she likes her bakery to be a place people drink coffee and talk politics. Adults get stuck in their opinions sometimes, she said, so they need to hear new ideas.

"Young people," she said, "they don't have taboos, they're more open."

The more people who discuss ideas, the better it is for the country, Diaz said. She said she'd even pass out tickets for a Republican candidate rally.

"Sometimes, when we don't like one group of people, we don't know them. By knowing them, that's when you open up and have discussion."

So far, Diaz said she's passed out about 100 tickets to people she said are excited for a change. She said that's what the country needs most right now.

Maria Ramirez, who's talked to Diaz about the rally, said she's interested in going to learn more about Obama.

"I like the way he speaks, the way he thinks," said Ramirez, who said the candidate would represent the interests of minorities.

Diaz said she'll definitely be at the rally, and she's bringing her 17-year-old daughter with her.

• Contact reporter Dave Frank at dfrank@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.

If you go

What: A rally for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama

When: Gates open noon Thursday

Where: Wingfield Park Amphitheater in Reno, at First Street and Arlington Avenue, Reno

How: Free, but tickets are required

Tickets

Carson City

When: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: Sierra Bakery

1966 Highway 50 East

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Carson City Democratic Party Headquarters

2101 Arrowhead Drive, Suite 102

Gardnerville

When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Eddy Street Bookstore

1225 Eddy St.

Fernley

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: Lyon County Democratic Party Headquarters

15 E. Main St.