Minnesota African American Leaders Announce Support for Hillary Clinton
Minneapolis, MN — Several prominent leaders from Minnesota’s African American community today are joining a nationwide chorus of African American officials and advocates in support of Hillary Clinton’s candidacy for President. On Thursday, Clinton earned the endorsement of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, the political arm of the Congressional Black Caucus that works to increase the number of African Americans in the United States Congress.
Today Clinton unveiled her $125 billion economic revitalization initiative for America’s underserved communities, predominately communities of color. Included in this agenda is a $50 billion investment to create millions of new jobs and provide pathways of opportunity for unemployed Americans – with $20 billion specifically invested in local programs to put jobless young people back to work. Clinton's plan could help create jobs for more than 36,000 young unemployed Minnesotans. This initiative is the first part of a "Breaking Every Barrier" agenda that Clinton will fight for as President.
“The decision to support Hillary Clinton is an easy one for me,” said retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan C. Page. “Fifty years ago, I was a 20 year old passionate about making the world a better and fairer place: better and fairer for people of color, women, the poor, the disenfranchised, the young, the old and the disabled. Fifty years later, after some successes and many disappointments the fire in my belly burns hotter than ever. At the end of the day, if you cannot govern, it does not much matter what your policies are. Hillary Clinton knows how to govern.”
“Hillary Clinton has been fighting for justice for her whole life,” said former St. Paul council member Melvin Carter. “Since her first job at the Children’s Defense Fund, Hillary has fought to protect civil rights and expand economic opportunities. This is a woman who gets results. Putting her experience and her drive in the White House will build on President Obama's legacy and create the progress we need in America and right here in St. Paul.”
"Hillary Clinton and I have one very common bond: a lifetime spent fighting to improve the lives of people of color,” said longtime civil rights activist and educator Dr. Josie Robinson Johnson. “Hillary understands the integral inequities faced by African Americans and is committed to dismantling them with policies that create jobs, improve education, and access to affordable housing. As President, I am confident Hillary will do everything in her power to counter decades of neglect and triumphantly build on the progress we have made during the last eight years."
As President, Hillary Clinton will build on the progress President Obama has made and will ensure that she delivers real results. She will work to restore balance and fairness to the country’s criminal justice system by reforming mandatory minimum sentencing and closing private prisons. Clinton will encourage the use of smart strategies—like body cameras—and end racial profiling to rebuild trust between law enforcement and communities. She will also prioritize the safety of communities over the profits of the gun lobby and work to help formerly incarcerated individuals re-enter society.
