Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for president, visited New York Thursday to campaign ahead of the state's April 19 primary elections.

Thousands of Sanders supporters packed St. Mary's Park in the Bronx for a campaign rally.

Actress Rosario Dawson, filmmaker Spike Lee and the Puerto Rican, Grammy Award-winning singer Residente took the stage in turns before introducing Sanders, who repeated his call for a "political revolution."

Many participants held signs and shouted support for the candidate's stances on immigration, income inequality and higher minimum wages -- all issues that working-class voters say are pertinent to them.

Sanders' main focus, however, was to encourage people to turn out and vote. He also mentioned his opponent for the Democratic nomination, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Experts say Sanders, who is originally from Brooklyn, is visiting the state to try and improve his standing among minority voters.