Jon Stewart Angrily Calls Out Lack of Supporters at Veterans Events for Memorial Day: ‘Where Are The American People?!’

Comedian and activist Jon Stewart spoke at the “Rolling to Remember” event in Washington, D.C. on Memorial Day weekend and blasted the lack of attendance by anyone not directly associated with the American veteran community, asking “where are the American people?”

“Rolling to Remember” is a series of demonstrations put on in Washington, D.C. by AMVETS, described on the event website as “a motorcycle demonstration ride in our nations’ capitol to raise awareness of the critical issues facing our nation’s veterans and demand action for the 82,000 service members missing, as well as raise awareness of the 22 veterans who die by suicide each day.”

Former Daily Show host Jon Stewart, who is an active advocate for both veterans and first responders, is demanding action on H.R. 3967, the Honoring our PACT Act, to grant disability and VA healthcare benefits for veterans suffering after exposure to harmful toxins, such as from open-air burn pits.

When he took the stage Saturday, Stewart immediately noted that the crowd gathered was a familiar one.

“The people sitting behind me — it’s hard not to be here today and not get frustrated again,” said Stewart. “Because as I look out in the crowd, I see the same thing I always see: Veterans and their families and caregivers.”

“But where the American people?”

Stewart noted that there will be many messages of support for veterans shared over the course of the holiday weekend, comparing that against actual action.

“This is Memorial Day weekend. Man, you’re going to read the tweets this weekend. You’re going to look at the Facebook pages and you’re going to think to yourself, ‘Oh, does America love me. Boy, they love us,'” he said. “You’re going to go to Applebee’s. They’re going to give you them baby back ribs. Probably 20% off, not even 10%, because of how much they support you.”

“And yet we come out here today looking for the support of the American people, and what do we have behind me? It’s veterans organizations. It’s veterans. It’s their families,” he said. “This country can’t be this broken.”

“If we can’t do the simple shit, we have nothing,” said Stewart.

As he continued his speech, Stewart blasted inaction by Congress, who ought to be able to at least agree on something as obvious as keeping promises to veterans.

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!