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Day After Black Lives Matter Activists Shut Down Rally, Sen Amy Klobuchar Drops Out of 2020 Race

NNPA NEWSWIRE — The BLM activists at Klobuchar’s rally were referring to the case of Myon Burrell. Burrell was convicted of murder as a teenager as Ms. Klobuchar served as Hennepin County attorney in Minnesota. Minnesota is a Super Tuesday state.

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Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) has avoided media interviews with black news organizations throughout her campaign. (Photo: Senator Amy Klobuchar talks with supporters at Shift Cyclery and Coffee Bar in Eau Claire, Wisconsin / Lorie Shaull / Wikimedia Commons)

By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Correspondent

Two candidates running for The White House who notoriously had issues disproportionately impacting African Americans have dropped out of the 2020 presidential race over the last few days. 

Black Lives Matter activists shut down a rally on March 1 in Minnesota for then Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) over her prosecution of a black man they believe was wrongly convicted for murder.

The Black Lives Matter protesters took the stage in protest and would not leave, and the Klobuchar campaign cancelled the rally. The next day on March 2, Sen. Klobuchar dropped out of the presidential race and put her support behind former Vice President Joe Biden. 

The BLM activists at Klobuchar’s rally were referring to the case of Myon Burrell. Burrell was convicted of murder as a teenager as Ms. Klobuchar served as Hennepin County attorney in Minnesota. Minnesota is a Super Tuesday state. 

A recent analysis by the Associated Press reviewed the case of Myron Burrell, who is serving life in prison for the murder of an 11-year old. The news organization, “reviewed more than a thousand pages of police records, court transcripts and interrogation tapes, and interviewed dozens of inmates, witnesses, family members, former gang leaders, lawyers and criminal justice experts.”

Klobuchar has avoided media interviews with black news organizations throughout her campaign. Journalist Roland Martin created a “Where’s Amy?” graphic after she refused to be interviewed on Roland Martin Unfiltered even as he spoke with all of the other Democrats in the field. 

Klobuchar was the lead prosecutor in the Burrell case and, according to AP’s analysis the prosecution, “relied heavily on a teen rival of Burrell’s who gave conflicting accounts when identifying the shooter, who was largely obscured behind a wall 120 feet away. With no other eyewitnesses, police turned to multiple jailhouse snitches. Some have since recanted, saying they were coached or coerced. Others were given reduced time, raising questions about their credibility. And the lead homicide detective offered “major dollars” for names, even if it was hearsay.”

Klobuchar joined former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg in dropping out and endorsing former Vice President Biden. Buttigieg’s campaign was also plagued with questions around how he handled justice reform issues in the Black community in South Bend. Lack of support from Black voters has been a defining issue in the 2020 campaign.

A third 2020 presidential candidate who has been criticized for his treatment of African Americans regarding racial profiling policies such as stop-and-frisk is former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has also announced that his campaign has ended. Bloomberg joined Kobuchar and Buttigieg in endorsing Biden. However, as an author of the 1994 Clinton Crime Bill, Biden has also been questioned on justice reform issues. 

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist for NNPA and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is also a political strategist as Principal of Win Digital Media LLC. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

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#NNPA BlackPress

OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

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Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

 

 

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

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The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for connection, marking a significant step toward creating a more inclusive parenting community.

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org

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Election Night on The Yard at Howard University

Election Night on The Yard at Howard University

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