Reflections on Meeting with Senator Bernie Sanders and Secretary Hillary Clinton, and the #DemDebate

[Luminous Animal]

By DeRay McKesson from Campaign Zero.

I recently joined protestors and activists in meeting with Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton to discuss the #BlackLivesMatter movement and policy proposals, anchored in #CampaignZero, to end police violence.

We have also requested meetings with Martin O'Malley, Marco Rubio, and Ben Carson. In general, we are open to meeting with any candidate seeking to be the next President to discuss these ideas.

While police violence is a key issue to the movement, it is clear that there are a range of issues important to blackness that are beyond police violence and/or criminal justice. In these conversations with Senator Sanders and Secretary Clinton, we began by focusing on police violence and then broadened the scope of the conversation.

For these meetings we request at least one hour with the candidate and at least 30–45 minutes with the candidate’s staff after the candidate leaves. The goal is to both influence the candidate and their staff, who are often best versed in the details of specific legislation or policies.

In preparation for meeting with the candidates, we review their previously stated policy positions and the campaigns published platform so we can develop specific questions on focused topics that support a robust discussion.

Bernie Sanders has released a Racial Justice Platform.

Hillary Clinton has published initial drafts of a Criminal Justice Platform & Voting Rights Platform.

https://medium.com/@deray/reflections-on-meeting-with-senator-bernie-sanders-and-secretary-hillary-clinton-and-the-38c4a2d9f797?source=tw-3167fd769dd2-1445532261150

[mak3cats]

1. Good stuff - link please? (eom)

[Luminous Animal]

2. Oops. Just added it. It didn't format correctly but see if it works

When you copy and paste. I'd try but I'm on my phone and it is performing extremely poorly.

[mak3cats]

3. It works copying and pasting - bookmarked for later reading. Thanks! (eom)

[Uncle Joe]

4. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Luminous Animal.

[Luminous Animal]

5. You are welcome, Uncle Joe,