Rep. Keith Ellison is putting Minnesota on notice that it is not politics as usual in his bid to become the state’s next attorney general.
In a campaign rally that was as much a hip-hop concert as it was political theater inside the iconic music venue First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis, throngs of supporters turned out for a Friday morning (July 13) rally that featured hip-hop DJ Shannon Blowtorch, a performance by hip-hop artist Dwynell Roland and it was topped of with the rock star of progressive politics … 76 years young … Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). With the exception of Prince and a few others, not many have seen a larger crowd inside the concert venue that holds an official capacity of 1,550.
Friday’s rally may have nudged slightly past that number with a crowd of enthusiastic supporters ranging in age from toddler to senior and varying demography of color, faith and social constructs. The crowd’s make-up offered a stark contrast to the nearly all white crowd that turned out in Duluth last month to see President Donald Trump. And though the rally was for Ellison in a state race, there were several national overtones throughout the event, including those calling for Sanders to again run for president in 2020. There was also zero mention of any of Ellison’s opponents in the upcoming Aug. 14 primary nor of his possible Republican rival if he prevails in August, but there was mention – to a chorus of boos and groans – of Trump and his policies and divisive rhetoric.
“There is no person outside of our circle of compassion,” said Ellison. “All are included.”
Ellison, who is leaving Washington D.C. after serving five terms as the representative of Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District, explained his decision to run for Minnesota Attorney General.
“People are asking why I would leave the House to run for a state attorney general seat, but let it be known, state attorney generals are the ones fighting back against Trump,” said Ellison. “It was state attorney generals who sued – and won – against his Muslim ban. It was state attorney generals who took on Trump and his devastating immigration policies. State attorney generals are fighting to protect an open internet. As your attorney general; if some entity wants to open up 20 accounts in your name without your consent I’m going to sue the (mess) out of them.”
Sanders said while he will miss having Ellison in Washington, he believes Minnesota and the nation will be well-served with Ellison in the state’s attorney general seat.
“By electing Keith Ellison you can help take back America from the billionaires and deliver it to the middle and working class,” said Sanders. “And I know with what’s going on in the White House many of you are depressed and have lost hope; but know that the antidote for political depression is activism. All over America people are standing up, fighting back, saying Trump’s vision for America is not our vision for America.”
Alison Campbell of Minneapolis is one of the ones “fighting back.” She attended the rally with her 3-year-old son, Lucas. Campbell said being at the rally was important not only for her, but for her son’s future.
“A lot of people are devastated by what’s going on in the country right now, and we’ve got to be supportive of the movement and of change,” said Campbell. “In these days it’s easy to get discouraged, but it’s so important we don’t become numb to the tragedy going on in our nation.”
