Black candidates and political groups see a surge of support amid US protests

[marmar]

(Guardian UK) African American candidates and political groups focused on racial justice have experienced a surge of donations and support amid ongoing national protests about police reform and anti-racism.

The country has been wracked by protests since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd’s death has also triggered an intense introspection on race relations and police brutality, especially against African Americans, and it seems black political candidates are getting more attention as a result.

In Kentucky, state representative Charles Booker, said he’s raised $1m over the past month. Roughly over that same period he’s also been endorsed by top progressive Democrats: Vermont senator Bernie Sanders and New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

In New York, Democrat Jamaal Bowman, who is challenging New York congressman Eliot Engel in a tough primary, has surpassed fundraising benchmarks since the beginning of June, as he’s tried to capitalize on missteps by the incumbent congressman – including a hot mic incident at a Black Lives Matter event. Sanders has endorsed Bowman as well. ............(more)

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/13/black-candidates-us-politics-police-protests?CMP=share_btn_fb&fbclid=IwAR2w_JbVKmmPgXZf8TFCpKd8rS38R6555YKgRptyy-UexGVEDmru3uZoYfI