MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Democratic leaders voted to ban Nasri Warsame from ever seeking the party's endorsement for any elected office after chaos broke out at a convention May 13 to endorse a candidate for the Ward 10 Minneapolis City Council race.
The ban was a result of a pair of bylaw changes approved by the DFL's central committee Tuesday that included banning anyone who engages in violence at political events, including candidates. It also opens the door for Warsame to be banished from the party altogether.
"It sent the message to people that are coming into our party process that we're not going to tolerate actions like this in the future," said DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin during Tuesday's meeting. "That we have drawn a line in the sand on what is tolerated and not tolerated in this party, and we will take swift and decisive action."
KARE 11 reached out to Warsame's campaign for comment but has yet to receive a response.
Video posted on social media from that night indicated the disturbance began after supporters of incumbent Aisha Chughtai took the stage to seek delegates’ backing for the Ward 10 City Council seat. That sparked an uproar among backers of Warsame, her challenger. Some Warsame supporters jumped on stage, shouting, banging on tables and waving signs. At least two people were injured in the fracas and the convention broke up with no endorsement.
Martin released a statement after the incident saying it was “clear that the conflict was instigated" by Warsame supporters.
Warsame released a statement on Facebook the day after the incident insisting he doesn't condone violence, adding that one of the people who participated in the chaos was a volunteer and not a member of his campaign. He went on to claim that there were also individuals who supported Chughtai that were taking part in the violence, saying one person assaulted his campaign manager and a delegate.
Chughtai said in her own statement that the video does not match the Warsame campaign's version of events.
“Campaigns that are winning and have the support of the people don’t violently disrupt the process,” Chugtal said. "As a campaign and as a movement, we’re on the path to a safer, more just Minneapolis and we look forward to continuing to share that vision with the people of Ward 10.”
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