MINNEAPOLIS, MN Jeremiah Bey Ellison, son of Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN), has announced he will challenge current Minneapolis City Councilman Blong Yang for the Ward 5 seat. Ellison joins activist and Minneapolis NAACP spokeswoman, Raeisha Williams, in vying for the support of the people of the North Minneapolis district.
Ellison gained international attention during the Jamar Clark protests at the Fourth Precinct police station when a photograph of him went viral. The photo shows Ellison standing between police officers and protesters with a police officer pointing a non-lethal weapon at his chest.
Ellison’s campaign website describes him as an artist, teacher and activist. His platform includes:
- Raise the minimum wage to $15
- Pass a Mixed Income Housing Policy to require affordable units in new housing developments, especially in the fastest-growing parts of our city
- Proactively address youth violence through proven public health approaches, rather than through a policing-only approach.
- Ensure that all parts of Minneapolis are served by high-quality transit routes
- Reform antiquated zoning rules based on racist ‘redlining’ maps and support local commercial corridor development on the Northside
- Include renters in decision making for the neighborhoods, not just homeowners and landlords
- Support efforts at the local level to combat climate change
- Invest in neighborhoods that have suffered historic environmental injustice through a strong Green Zones policy
Raeisha Williams has also gained national attention during the Jamar Clark protests. During an appearance on CNN, Williams told the reporter that the protesters believed the police were “behind the shootings” that occurred during the protests. (Video posted to YouTube November 2015.)
Williams is also an associate of Nekima Levy Pounds. Levy Pounds is the former President of the Minneapolis NAACP who announced in November that she will run for Minneapolis Mayor. The Star Tribune reported what Williams said about Levy-Pounds’ candidacy, “I am so excited and there is no better choice. Who better to bring the city of Minneapolis together in true unity for a hopeful future?”
Andrea Mayer-Bruestle
Andrea Mayer-Bruestle is a former writer for Alpha News.
