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Michigan Chronicle

Vol. 82 – No. 32 | April 17-23, 2019

Powered by Real Times Media | michiganchronicle.com

Presidential hopeful Senator Bernie Sanders takes questions from Detroiters at Sweet Potato Sensations. PHOTO: Bryan Giardinelli/Bernie 2020

Will Michigan “Feel the Bern” in 2020?

Bernie Sanders Tours Michigan in Attempt to Blaze Path to The White House By Janis D. Hazel

about a dozen local activists and business leaders.

The 2016 presidential election was an eye-opening experience for Democrats seeking the White House. The key takeaway was never, ever neglect Michigan.

Espy Thomas, who describes herself as “Queen of Awesomeness”, is co-owner of the thirty one-year-old, family-owned restaurant, which specializes in everything made from sweet potatoes – pies, cheesecake, pancakes, waffles, grits, cookies and more). Thomas said of Bernie Sanders that she was “eager to offer her space so African Americans in Detroit would be able to hear what he stands for and the opportunity to ask him questions.” She said she likes to use her venue as a melting pot for people from the community to come together to get information.

The 2016 Hilary Clinton campaign learned a hard lesson when the decision was made to not campaign in Michigan during the final days of her campaign for president. Mitt Romney learned from his mistake in 2008 when he turned his back on Detroit, the city in which he was born and where his father served as governor of the state of Michigan. The infamous New York Times op-ed column written by Romney and titled, “Let Detroit Go Bankrupt” was remembered by Michigan voters and led to him losing the nomination in his bid for president.

Sanders opened the dialogue stating, “Trump is a pathological liar who has failed to honor promises central to African-American voters and waged an all-out attack on the principles of racial and economic justice. The cuts in his budget reflect that. He is intentionally, in a calculated way, trying to divide us by the color of our skin and economics.”

Michigan voters didn’t forget, and our displeasure was reflected in the final vote tally for former president Barack Obama. With that being said, of the current 18 declared Democratic 2020 presidential hopefuls (or those with exploratory committees), each are methodically making their rounds to Michigan in early swings through the Midwest. Representative Beto O’Rouke (D-TX) stopped by Center Line, Ferndale and Detroit in March just before his official campaign kick-off. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) will be the keynote speaker for the NAACP Detroit branch’s

WHAT’S INSIDE

Monique Becker at Warren Rally Annual Freedom Fund Dinner on May 5. Also, Independent-turned-Democrat-turned-Independent-turned-Democrat, Senator Bernie Sanders visited union members in Coopersville near Grand Rapids, held a rally in Warren at Macomb County College and munched

on soul food with Detroiters at Sweet Potato Sensations. During the intimate gathering at Sweet Potato Sensations, Sanders was joined by the restaurant’s owners, Democratic National Committee Black Caucus Chairwoman Virgie Rollings and

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the night’s entertainment during the President’s Reception. Raheem is an American singer-songwriter whose music has charted US Billboards.

The NAACP’s Detroit branch is scheduled to host its 64th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 5 p.m. at Detroit’s Cobo Conference Center. The theme is “Freedom Knows Only One Direction…Forward!” The NAACP promises the event to be one-of-a-kind. As the largest sit-down dinner of its kind in the world, it is said to be full of surprises and high energy. They are pleased to announce a special red-carpet experience this year, which will take place from 3-4 p.m. before the event commences. Sure to stir up excitement, the red carpet is designed to make attendees feel as important as the VIPs who will be present for this historic event. The Detroit branch is extremely excited about the star-studded line up this year.

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NAACP Detroit Branch to host the 64th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner, a Star-Studded Evening By Brittany Marie Banks

Is It Love Or Manipulation?

Sanders said his government “will be about bringing everyone together – black and white, gay and straight, poor and rich.” He went on to say, “Justice is not having half of the people in our country living pay check to pay check, stressed out to meet their essential needs.” He added that whether Walmart likes it or not, as president, he is going to “raise the Federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, to a living wage.”

Grammy-award-winning artist Raheem DeVaughn will provide

April Ryan

White House correspondent and renowned journalist April Ryan will also be in the building. Due to her “never-back-down” demeanor in her pursuit of the truth, Ryan has been deemed “trouble-maker” by the President of the United States, who has also demanded that she “sit down” and ask no further questions during White House press briefings. However, April’s ability to stand for what she believes in has earned her the prestigious Ida B. Wells Freedom & Justice Award, which she will receive at the ceremony. Clifton Powell, award-winning actor and producer, is the special guest of the evening and recipient of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture. He is most known for his roles in more than 100 films and countless TV shows, but he is also a

See FREEDOM

FUND DINNER page A5


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