Bernie Sanders at the Black America Forum
In the heat of the 2016 primary season, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont was seeking avenues through which to push his message of economic populism to minority communities, which tended to tilt towards Hillary Clinton. So on a frigid day in February, Sanders spoke at a town hall in Minneapolis convened by Neighborhoods Organizing for Change (NOC) and other community organizing groups. The question was how Sanders' economics would specifically address the needs of black, Latino, and other marginalized communities. Sanders' answer was, in a nutshell, that a more fair economy would help everyone, including blacks and Latinos who were make up a disproportionate amount of the working poor. While some accepted this, others kept pushing for his stance on minority-specific programs and even the controversial issue of reparations for the descendants of slaves. An audience member also brought up the topic of the disenfranchisement of convicted felons, while another audience member demanded that Native Americans be included more in conversations like these. It made for a boisterous conversation that seemed to careen from Sanders-friendly to Sanders-hostile on a dime. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton was also in Minnesota, but would not be making any public appearances. Instead, she would spend the evening in St. Paul at a big-dollar fundraiser. That, to one organizer, was the difference between Clinton and Sanders - one went to the people, the other went to the money.
Here Bernie Sanders delivers a campaign speech during his opening remarks before a panel of African-American activists and an audience of potential voters during the Black America Forum. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for president, attended the Black America Forum, sponsored by MN Neighborhoods Organizing for Change at Patrick Henry High School in the largely African-American neighborhood of North Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday, February 12, 2016. After beating Hillary Clinton in the New Hampshire primary earlier in the week, Sen. Sanders began campaigning in earnest for minority voters, who were a critical bloc in the following contests in Nevada and South Carolina.
Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for president, squinted into the lights at the Black America Forum, sponsored by MN Neighborhoods Organizing for Change at Patrick Henry High School in the largely African-American neighborhood of North Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday, February 12, 2016. After beating Hillary Clinton in the New Hampshire primary earlier in the week, Sen. Sanders began campaigning in earnest for minority voters, who will be crucial in the upcoming contests in Nevada and South Carolina.
Bernie Sanders delivers a campaign speech during his opening remarks before a panel of African-American activists and an audience of potential voters during the Black America Forum. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for president, attended the Black America Forum, sponsored by MN Neighborhoods Organizing for Change at Patrick Henry High School in the largely African-American neighborhood of North Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday, February 12, 2016. After beating Hillary Clinton in the New Hampshire primary earlier in the week, Sen. Sanders began campaigning in earnest for minority voters, who will be crucial in the upcoming contests in Nevada and South Carolina.
A diverse audience of activists, Sanders supporters, and others filled the gymnasium at Patrick Henry High School for the Black America Forum. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for president, attended the Black America Forum, sponsored by MN Neighborhoods Organizing for Change at Patrick Henry High School in the largely African-American neighborhood of North Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday, February 12, 2016. After beating Hillary Clinton in the New Hampshire primary earlier in the week, Sen. Sanders began campaigning in earnest for minority voters, who will be crucial in the upcoming contests in Nevada and South Carolina.
The gymnasium of Patrick Henry High School, where the Black America Forum was held. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for president, attended the Black America Forum, sponsored by MN Neighborhoods Organizing for Change at Patrick Henry High School in the largely African-American neighborhood of North Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday, February 12, 2016. After beating Hillary Clinton in the New Hampshire primary earlier in the week, Sen. Sanders began campaigning in earnest for minority voters, who will be crucial in the upcoming contests in Nevada and South Carolina.
A diverse audience of activists and potential voters listens to Bernie Sanders answer a question at the Black America Forum. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for president, attended the Black America Forum, sponsored by MN Neighborhoods Organizing for Change at Patrick Henry High School in the largely African-American neighborhood of North Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday, February 12, 2016. After beating Hillary Clinton in the New Hampshire primary earlier in the week, Sen. Sanders began campaigning in earnest for minority voters, who will be crucial in the upcoming contests in Nevada and South Carolina.
Jason Sole, a felon who had gone on to earn a doctorate, asked Bernie Sanders what he would do for disenfranchised ex-convicts like himself.; Sanders replied that he believed voting rights should not be taken away from felons. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for president, attended the Black America Forum, sponsored by MN Neighborhoods Organizing for Change at Patrick Henry High School in the largely African-American neighborhood of North Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday, February 12, 2016. After beating Hillary Clinton in the New Hampshire primary earlier in the week, Sen. Sanders began campaigning in earnest for minority voters, who will be crucial in the upcoming contests in Nevada and South Carolina.
Clyde Bellecourt, a 79-year-old Native American activist asked a five-minute-long question about the U.S. government honoring past treaties with Native Americans, which Bernie Sanders answered briefly before leaving to attend a fundraising dinner in neighboring St. Paul. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for president, attended the Black America Forum, sponsored by MN Neighborhoods Organizing for Change at Patrick Henry High School in the largely African-American neighborhood of North Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday, February 12, 2016. After beating Hillary Clinton in the New Hampshire primary earlier in the week, Sen. Sanders began campaigning in earnest for minority voters, who will be crucial in the upcoming contests in Nevada and South Carolina.
Bernie Sanders delivers a campaign speech during his opening remarks before a panel of African-American activists and an audience of potential voters during the Black America Forum. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for president, attended the Black America Forum, sponsored by MN Neighborhoods Organizing for Change at Patrick Henry High School in the largely African-American neighborhood of North Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday, February 12, 2016. After beating Hillary Clinton in the New Hampshire primary earlier in the week, Sen. Sanders began campaigning in earnest for minority voters, who will be crucial in the upcoming contests in Nevada and South Carolina.
Bernie Sanders delivers a campaign speech during his opening remarks before a panel of African-American activists and an audience of potential voters during the Black America Forum. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for president, attended the Black America Forum, sponsored by MN Neighborhoods Organizing for Change at Patrick Henry High School in the largely African-American neighborhood of North Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday, February 12, 2016. After beating Hillary Clinton in the New Hampshire primary earlier in the week, Sen. Sanders began campaigning in earnest for minority voters, who will be crucial in the upcoming contests in Nevada and South Carolina.
Bernie Sanders at the Black America Forum in Minnesota
In the heat of the 2016 primary season, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont was seeking avenues through which to push his message of economic populism to minority communities, which tended to tilt towards Hillary Clinton. So on a frigid day in February, Sanders spoke at a town hall in Minneapolis convened by Neighborhoods Organizing for Change (NOC) and other community organizing groups. The question was how Sanders' economics would specifically address the needs of black, Latino, and other marginalized communities. Sanders' answer was, in a nutshell, that a more fair economy would help everyone, including blacks and Latinos who were make up a disproportionate amount of the working poor. While some accepted this, others kept pushing for his stance on minority-specific programs and even the controversial issue of reparations for the descendants of slaves. An audience member also brought up the topic of the disenfranchisement of convicted felons, while another audience member demanded that Native Americans be included more in conversations like these. It made for a boisterous conversation that seemed to careen from Sanders-friendly to Sanders-hostile on a dime. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton was also in Minnesota, but would not be making any public appearances. Instead, she would spend the evening in St. Paul at a big-dollar fundraiser. That, to one organizer, was the difference between Clinton and Sanders - one went to the people, the other went to the money.