Activist ‘Lavish Mack’ announces candidacy for Minneapolis City Council

In a recent Instagram post, Metzger referred to America as 'amerikkka,' in an apparent reference to the KKK.

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Crime Watch MN
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A local agitator and activist whose social media posts often come off like narcissistic, self-absorbed Prell girl commercials has announced he’s running for a seat on the Minneapolis City Council.

Zachary James Metzger, known on social media as “Lavish Mack,” announced on Instagram this week he’s running for the Ward 11 seat currently held by Emily Koski.

Ward 11 comprises several neighborhoods on the southern border of Minneapolis including Diamond Lake, Keewaydin, Hale, Page, Northrop, Tangletown, Wenonah, and Windom.

Metzger, previously described by the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder as an “avid protester,” has been a visible figure in Twin Cities protests including George Floyd, Daunte Wright, and Winston Smith and has been known to show up at Twin Cities schools to stage protests and disrupt meetings.

Zachary Metzger at protests (Instagram / Lavish Mack)

Metzger has also been observed at protests in other states including Kenosha, Wisc., during the trial and verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse case.

Metzger’s campaign website lays out boilerplate leftist platform positions on public safety, housing, and climate. Metzger’s ideas for public safety include the “demilitarization of [the] police force,” diversion programs, restorative justice, implicit bias training for police, and establishing police accountability and oversight mechanisms like civilian review boards and police audit commissions.

Metzger’s other platform positions include affordable housing mandates, rent control, expanding housing vouchers and subsidies, enacting “green” building standards, and focusing on “environmental justice” principles to address the “impacts of climate change on marginalized communities.”

Metzger, who often appears shirtless and sometimes naked in his social media videos and photos, made a recent post on Instagram appearing to call for more gun control. The post seems at odds with a prior Instagram post in which Metzger appears to be at a gun range grinning widely while sporting what some would call an “assault rifle.”

In another Instagram post two weeks ago, Metzger referred to America as “amerikkka,” in an apparent reference to the KKK, while describing that he was treated rudely at a Minneapolis coffee shop in the Lyn-Lake neighborhood and implied it was because of racism.

In yet another Instagram video, Metzger rails on “white leftists and neo-Liberals” calling them “identical to Trumpers.”

Metzger’s candidacy announcement has been met with skepticism, warnings, and mockery from Metzger’s own peers in the “activist community.”

Twin Cities photographer and activist Patience Zalanga tweeted, “Zachary Metzger is Lavish Mack and he is running for city council solely for money and attention. He has put many in physical danger at protests and I do not trust him around girls. Please disregard this man immediately.”

Another anti-police activist tweeted, “Ugh he never fails to make everything Abt himself.”

Another Twitter user whose bio describes them as a “far left vent account” said, “‘Lavish Mack,’ no thanks,” in apparent mockery of Metzger’s social media handle.

It’s unclear if Metzger is employed or how he financially sustains himself, but his LinkedIn page, where his name is listed as “Lavish Mack,” states that he’s a civic leader and organizer and served as a part-time legislative assistant to short-lived Rep. John Thompson.

Metzger also appears to have had a brief rapper phase based on a handful of rap music videos posted on YouTube.

Metzger’s campaign website doesn’t state a political party affiliation or whether he’ll be seeking any political endorsements. The official filing period for Minneapolis City Council candidates begins August 1st.

Current Ward 11 council member Emily Koski is running for re-election and has been endorsed by the DFL.

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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota

 

Crime Watch MN
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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.

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