#BlackLivesMatters members decided early on in the campaign cycle that Democrat candidate Bernie Sanders needed to be tested on his commitment to racial justice. Leaving the stage at Netroots Nation after #BlackLivesMatters activists literally took over the microphone, Sanders tried to get across the fact that he was part of the March on Washington in 1963, but at that point the event had descended into chaos.
The voice of reason turned out to be Deray McKesson, who tweeted to Sanders, “The first draft of your racial justice platform has promise. When will you be available to discuss enhancements w/ folks?” Sanders agreed to a meeting, and just more than a month later, he and McKesson will join up in Washington, D.C.
We're meeting w/ @BernieSanders tomorrow afternoon in DC. We just confirmed it this morning. https://t.co/moHsSxMDPV
— deray (@deray) September 15, 2015
Like him or not, there’s something odd about Bernie Sanders of all candidates having to answer to the new “elders” of the civil rights movement (McKesson is 30). We’re not sure who else makes up the rest of McKesson’s “we.”
@deray @BernieSanders Bernie, praying for your heart & mind to be sooooo open <3 & then pass to your followers
— Vicki Walden ? (@TheVikChick) September 15, 2015
@deray @BernieSanders Unite The People!!
— Boston Jon (@valorstreet15) September 15, 2015
@deray @BernieSanders I have high hopes for some solid collaboration. Fingers crossed for a lot of listening and productive conversation…
— FunknJunk (@schticknic) September 15, 2015
@deray @BernieSanders Rooting for both of you.
— Ian Power ? (@ianpowerOMG) September 15, 2015
@deray @BernieSanders Hope you #FeelTheBern
— Page 30 (@onpage30) September 15, 2015
@deray @BernieSanders Good luck!! Fingers crossed!! Thank you for your efforts.
— Tom Lyczko (@tlyczko) September 15, 2015
@deray @BernieSanders do you have a set place youre going to meet him? asking for my media organization
— Eyasu (@youngyasu) September 15, 2015
No one has said. Then again, Hillary Clinton held her meeting with #BlackLivesMatter representatives behind closed doors following an event they were locked out of due to those darned fire codes or something.
@deray @BernieSanders Awesome, hope you guys have a great meeting and we can start to bring our movements together in a constructive way!
— Andrew Swetland ? (@Swetland84) September 15, 2015
@deray @darrensands @BernieSanders @MattXCle Bring him to his knees!!!?
— Jim Sigman (@SigmanJim) September 15, 2015
https://twitter.com/PatJohnson32/status/643866614006480897
It’s complicated.
https://twitter.com/Cyborg_McThrust/status/643865030270799872
@deray @BernieSanders Imagine that…2 commies. enjoy.Make sure 2 talk about his $18 trillion increase in spending, cause thats responsible.
— Chris Tsotsoros (@ctsotsoros) September 15, 2015
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Related:
DeRay Mckesson’s 2011 White House ‘tour’ included visit with current Goldman Sachs VP
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