Bernie Sanders made quite a fashion statement at the Inauguration of President Joe Biden that instantly took over the Internet as a meme. The popular Senator from Vermont and former Presidential candidate looked very cozy and casual in a blue surgical mask, a Burton Gore-Tex hooded jacket and a pair of striped brown mittens made by fellow Vermonter Jen Ellis that are knitted from recycled sweater wool. His look was made even more iconic by a specific hunched position that evokes the tacit acceptance of someone who is waiting for his partner to finish shopping.
Software engineer Nick Sawhney was so inspired by this look that he put together a wonderfully fun interactive site that allows users to add a sitting Bernie to any location using Google Maps.
I made a website where you can put bernie in places using google maps street view. Enjoy!https://t.co/UfY5g9xU2k pic.twitter.com/8rstiEXOHf
— nick (@nick_sawhney) January 21, 2021
The site Sawhney created is expensive to maintain, so he’s raising funds to help keep the site running.
If you’re here it’s probably because of my bernie-sits website! I’m overjoyed so many people like it! The server costs money to keep running and stable, which is currently coming out of my own pocket. Google also charges me each time someone uses the site for using the maps API. As a grad student, I can use all the help I can get paying to keep it running!
Here are several “Bernie” sits around New York City.
Users on various forms of social media have plotted Bernie in a variety of different and surprising places.
NYU student, @nick_sawhne just made a website that lets you put Bernie Sanders anywhere. I sat him in front of the Havana Ballet, Gran Teatro.
It works with @googlemaps so knock yourself out. Enjoy. Link:https://t.co/vlp2rorcB3 pic.twitter.com/v71xh1rPCo
— Jauretsi ?????? (@jauretsi) January 21, 2021
That's better pic.twitter.com/CTYbtq5THO
— Alla (@OfeliyaDD) January 21, 2021
Sensei Bernie Sanders sits in Cobra Kai dojo. pic.twitter.com/Ib6a1xO5lh
— L'Archéonaute (@jimibwatson) January 21, 2021
i wasn't sure if you'd prefer bernie jumping the shark or fonzie jumping the bernie so i did both pic.twitter.com/bsiTMBwBGO
— matthew t. warax (@iAmTheWarax) January 22, 2021
so, uh
Challenge acceptedhttps://t.co/AjrHzo1flb pic.twitter.com/EONcZK11Wf
— butting (@butting_nz) January 21, 2021
Here’s how to get the wonderful mittens Bernie wearing if you want to try the look yourself.
Want Bernie Mittens? I have some new inventory and time for special orders. jsellis21@gmail.com #NYforSanders #peopleforbernie #BernieSanders2020 #berniesmittens #FeelTheBern2020 #NHforBernie #FeelTheBern #peopleforbernie pic.twitter.com/6wmEOvlkSS
— Jen Ellis (@vtawesomeness) February 7, 2020
Sanders responded to the meme with good humor and discussed it in an interview with Seth Meyers.
“We have some good coats, as well,” he adds.
— Garrett Haake (@GarrettHaake) January 21, 2021
Sanders is selling a sweatshirt with the image with 100% of proceeds going to Meals on Wheels Vermont.
