Why Trayvon Martin’s family attorney is endorsing Bernie Sanders

[cali]

Another prominent African-American woman is feeling the Bern.

Natalie Jackson, the civil rights attorney who represented the family of Trayvon Martin alongside Benjamin Crump during the George Zimmerman trial, is endorsing presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt).

She joins former Ohio state senator Nina Turner in a small but growing number of black women who are throwing their support behind the senator in hopes they can begin shifting African-American support away from former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. (Trayvon Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, endorsed Clinton earlier this month.) Black women outvoted every other racial and gender demographic in 2008 and 2012, making them one of the most important voting groups in the 2016 election; they overwhelmingly supported President Barack Obama in both elections. Jackson hopes she can help galvanize similar support for Sanders.

<snip>

In an exclusive interview with Fusion, Jackson said those polls don’t discourage her. She told me Sanders is the only candidate with the political will to dismantle the structural racism that empowers cops to kill African-Americans with impunity, and to create the kinds of economic policies needed to help pull them out of poverty.


<snip>

http://fusion.net/story/259561/trayvon-martin-family-attorney-natalie-jackson-endorses-bernie-sanders/

[Cali_Democrat]

1. Trayvon Martin's mom endorses Hillary:

Trayvon Martin's mother: Why I support Hillary Clinton

http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/11/opinions/fulton-gun-violence/

[SheenaR]

9. I'm sorry

I must have missed the part in the OP where anything was discussed about Trayvon's mother. Her endorsement was already posted and discussed. But kudos to you for letting us go back in time a few weeks.

[JTFrog]

18. And

I must have missed the part where it is forbidden to talk about past events in this forum. In fact I just saw an article posted about a town hall held in 2007. Talk about going back a few years in time.

Anyway, it's hardly off topic to discuss Trayvon's mother in a thread about Trayvon's lawyer and endorsements. But kudos for apologizing up front.

[SheenaR]

41. It's not forbidden

Maybe I'm just used to DK. When someone posts a discussion or diary, the first comment typically isn't about a completely different endorsement. Usually an OP gets, you know, "discussed".

[beam me up scottie]

44. That's how it should be here too.

But now it's all about playing gotcha, to the extent of using Martin's mother as a prop to diminish this endorsement.

Belated welcome to DU, Sheena!

[SheenaR]

50. Why thank you Beam Me Up Scottie :-) n/t

[beam me up scottie]

51. Keep up the good work and don't let others silence you.

They've been trying to discourage us since Bernie announced but we're stronger than ever.

[JTFrog]

115. That poster was the one trying to do the silencing.

"Her endorsement was already posted and discussed." So end of, right? Don't bring it up again, right? Not to mention that snide kudos remark made it quite clear who is trying to silence others around here.

[beam me up scottie]

116. Trying to one-up Natalie by bringing up Sybrina was uncalled for and completely irrelevant.

But HC supporters just had to play gotcha, so don't try to blame the new poster, her take on what happened was spot on.

[JTFrog]

117. Yea, again, so crazy to bring up Trayvon's mother in a thread about Trayvon's attorney.

Soooooo freaking off topic.

Not.

It just doesn't sit well with some folks so they gotta whine about it. FFS.

[beam me up scottie]

118. No, apparently an AA endorsement for Bernie didn't sit well with some folks at all.

They just had to try to hijack the thread.

Keep it classy.

[JTFrog]

119. Yeah, you keep spinning that yarn.

The more you repeat maybe someone will take it seriously I guess.

[beam me up scottie]

122. The very first post in this thread proves it's not a yarn.

And all the subsequent ones just drive the point home.

Every time a PoC endorses Bernie Hillary's supporters dismiss, demean and deflect, just look at the Killer Mike threads.

It doesn't fit the narrative.

[PatrynXX]

62. I thought she'd gone Hillary although never too late to change her mind

Everyone is getting odd endorsements this year. Slipknot goes Bernie would take the cake. Pretty much took out the Youth vote to Bernie doing that. So's the Rapper. Someone who's more worried about US than himself has to be sincere.

[JDPriestly]

65. This endorsement is from the attorney for Trayvon Martin's mother.

I think this is a very important endorsement. Who is a better judge of how strongly the candidates will pursue the reform of our justice system that is needed to decrease the number of prisoners in our country? A distraught mother who has had one experience with the problem of getting justice for her son or a lawyer who deals with the systemic failings in our justice system over and over?

[one_voice]

30. .

[SheenaR]

42. Cute n/t

[Dawson Leery]

71. Trayvon's mother has more sway than the attorney.

[senz]

89. Why are you pitting Trayvon's mother against her attorney???

And for God's sake, what does this have to do with "sway?"

Pretty cynical there, Dawson.

[lunamagica]

13. Her endorsement carries so much more weight. Along with the endorsements of Gwen Carr,

And Lucia McBath

[senz]

20. The Trayvon Martin family attorney sounds VERY knowledgable.

I would give her much more weight for that reason.

[farleftlib]

22. Really?

How you figure that?

[lunamagica]

29. Because her loss is so inmense.

[farleftlib]

31. No doubt about that whatsoever.

But an endorsement from a civil rights lawyer is a pretty big deal.

[lunamagica]

74. It is a ig deal, but I believe her carries more weight, esp with parents who worry

their children my end up murdered the same way.

[JDPriestly]

67. But her knowledge of what needs to be changed and how difficult it will be to change it is

relatively small.

The lawyer deals with the injustice repeatedly and knows more about what needs to be changed and how it can be changed. The lawyer also knows just how tough it is going to be to get any changes.

This endorsement for Hillary is very important. It attests to the fact that Bernie Sanders is a tough fighter. Hillary will have a hard time getting the cooperation of Congress.

[lunamagica]

73. He could very well be politically motivated, looking at what he can get out of it

But from her, it is totally honest.

As for her knowdlege, you are being very judgmental here. You have no idea what she does or does not know.

I've known lots of people with little formal education who have more wisdom and knowdlege than people with college degrees.

I never judge people based on that

As for congress, how can you even say that? compare all the congressional endorsement Hillary has, to those of Sanders.

He is the one getting very little support

[farleftlib]

77. You didn't even read the OP. The lawyer is a SHE, not a HE

And I'll take the endorsement of a civil right lawyer any day of the week.

[senz]

79. The person we're talking about is a "she."

Treyvon Martin's mother's attorney is a black woman.

Hillary has congressional endorsements because she and her former-POTUS husband are very politically powerful.

Bernie has PLENTY of support from the people. That's why over 20,000 people turned out in the freezing cold to attend his MN rally yesterday. Hillary NEVER gets that kind of turnout. But her clout, her high-placed connections, her money and reputation for vindictiveness get her quite a few gilded endorsements.

I'm a real person who cares about all the hardworking, struggling Americans who have been screwed by Hillary's rich, rightwing friends.

That's why I support Bernie Sanders.

[JDPriestly]

85. She gets endorsements from Democrats who are hitching their wagon to the star they think

will win. I'm out there on the street. I think Bernie will win.

Hillary has a lot of payola money. Bernie does not. Hillary's money also wins her endorsements.

Bernie is the one who can get along with both Republicans and Democrats. Hillary is not at all accepted by Republicans. In fact, Republicans get points just for ridiculing and rejecting her.

I stick by my opinion that Bernie will deal with a Republican Congress much better than Hillary.

And I think we have a better chance of changing the balance in Congress with Bernie as our candidate. Bernie is the candidate of the future, oddly enough. He is the one who is appealing to young people.

[m-lekktor]

46. lol a desperate attempt to change the subject. "LOOK !! OVER HERE!!

pathetic.

[beam me up scottie]

48. Nailed it.

I wonder why they're so angry over this endorsement?

[Jarqui]

2. But didn't Jonathan Chait say the only thing Bernie could do was income inquality?

(over looking all that Bernie has done for civil rights ...)

Good for Trayvon's family. Still sickens me they didn't get the justice I think they deserved.

[politicaljunkie41910]

3. Who gives a flying fig who Travon Martin's attorney is endorsing?

I saw this guy being interviewed yesterday by Chris Matthews of MSNBC's Hardball. This guy had no idea of anything that was in Bernie's platform. As a black woman, I was embarassed for him. Chris seemed amazed that the guy acknowledged that he didn't know any of the platitudes Bernie was running on and Matthews has not been carrrying water for Clinton. Not even close. He has been very critical of her. I was shocked that this guy was even a lawyer, with his lack of preparation and knowledge of the major issues between the candidates. He also had only weeks previously endorsed Hillary Clinton. It just goes to show that his vote is up to the highest bidder. Not surprised that he is an attorney. As far as Nina Turner goes, she needs a job. She also has a position working for John Kasich. Go Figure.

[Fumesucker]

7. Natalie is a fairly unusual given name for a man

[ScreamingMeemie]

8. Well, now that template is going to need a rework.

[ChiciB1]

36. Well, So Is Tiffany... My Neighbor's Name Is Tiffany And

his wife is named Vicki. What's does that have to do with anything??

[Fumesucker]

37. The attorney mentioned in the OP is named Natalie?

[ChiciB1]

39. Yeah, Reading Further I Got It... I Don't Watch MSNBC So Didn't

see the show. But. my neighbor's name IS Tiffany. After while you don't think anything of it.

[lunamagica]

10. ITA. I saw him too. He had no idea about anything. Truly pathetic

[azurnoir]

23. Is this the guy you saw? cause that's who the thread is about

[lunamagica]

28. No, that's not the guy I saw

Sorry for the mistake

[senz]

19. You give a flying fig, that's who. Your comment shows disinformation.

You saw a "guy." The person we're talking about is a female.

[beam me up scottie]

27. You were "embarrassed for HIM"? Imagine how you're going to feel when you realize Natalie is a woman

[cali]

32. For a political junkie, you sure did post a massive fail.

You couldn't have made it clearer that you have no idea what you're talking about. I will say though, that many du Hillary supporters are creative. With the truth.

[Political_Junkie]

88. That ain't the original DU Political_Junkie.

This one's for Bernie!

[cali]

33. Running away?

[senz]

35. Your comment sounds entirely made up.

But maybe it's just a mistake.

I'm a little embarrassed for you.

[m-lekktor]

52. are you sure you are on the right thread?

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH

[uponit7771]

53. I agree on who cares what the lawyer thinks

[cali]

58. Of course you do. Only minorities who support dear anointed hill

should be listened too. And you piously blather on about Bernie supporters throwing minority endorsers of Hillary under the bus.

[uponit7771]

60. Cali, you just made some shit up didn't you? hunh? Why don't you link and quote me doing what you

... claim I did

I'll wait

Also, Random Black Person endorsements don't bode well for anyone.

[senz]

75. There's no such thing as a "Random Black Person."

[Lazy Daisy]

68. If you look upthread

You'll notice Nina Turner got tossed under the bus, 'cause you know, her opinion doesn't count seeing as she needs a job and all.
She's like a turbo of energy. When she speaks you feel her words.

And BTW debating who's endorsement holds more weight between Trayvon's mother and attorney..... not good. They are individuals each with their own thoughts and feelings. As a mother of a child lost to the violence against black males that is accepted in this country, her endorsement is powerful. But as a civil rights attorney who fights within this same system for justice, Natalie Jackson's endorsement is just as powerful. Neither negates the other, neither is more important.

[beam me up scottie]

80. ^^^THIS^^^

[jehop61]

4. And this is important

because?

[SheenaR]

11. More important than the thread

entitled "Bernie Sanders needs to release his medical records" that you rec'd

[senz]

15. This is important because AAs need to know the truth about Bernie.

It is this: Bernie CARES about human beings and will change the system to reflect the value of ALL people.

Your candidate cares about money and power, period.

That's pretty important, don't you think?

[ChiciB1]

38. What About Our Supreme Court Justices? Ho Old Are They??

Where are their health records. Ruth Bader Ginsberg seems quite lively! Not sure about FATSO Scalia! Stupidity! FDR was paralyzed, JFK had terrible back problems and offered from another disease I can't remember.

Then, we had G. W. Bush... what was wrong with him???

[senz]

45. They're desperate and will say anything.

The "medical" attack is a sign that they can't win on the issues.

[uponit7771]

54. After 6 months and we don't already then its Sanders fault and not ours, We know about him

... and don't like it... not worth it and he's chosen different vices than Hillary so I'm not getting a risk reward factor in this

[cali]

59. Because of her reasons for supporting him.

[artislife]

5. Thank you so much for posting this here

[99th_Monkey]

6. Great news for Bernie! Thanks for the OP. n/t

[senz]

12. Absolute TRUTH: Bernie is the ONLY CANDIDATE who will make it safe for POC.

Thank you so much for posting this, cali. I hope everyone reads it.

[Ned_Devine]

64. Wow! That's some serious word salad. Sarah, is that you?

[Fumesucker]

126. I almost wrote the exact same thing to one of their posts upthread

[senz]

72. In politics, "relationships" mean NOTHING. They're utilitarian, period.

So don't try to use that. Relationships are a means to an end in Hillary's world. Hillary has "relationships" with the CEOs of big banks, with Donald Trump, with the Bushes, with Henry Kissinger.

Why don't you trumpet those "relationships?"

Bernie's location and lifestyle may not bring him into casual contact with numerous AAs, but his entire history of political action demonstrates his complete, irrefutable loyalty to equality and fairness for people of color.

Values, convictions, intentions are what count; they are FAR more motivating in politics than schmoozing.

[beam me up scottie]

84. Why are you so angry about this endorsement?

[farleftlib]

14. What an awesome endorsement!

Really says it all!

[senz]

16. Clinton supporters obviously FEAR this OP. Why?

[CharlotteVale]

21. They're finding it harder and harder to come up with memes.

[azurnoir]

24. I dunno

I saw a couple of DUzy's here about that guy

[senz]

47. I'll tell you why.

Clinton cannot win without the AA vote. It's her most reliable demographic. And her DU supporters know this quite well.

[uponit7771]

55. This is silly on its face

[cali]

61. Because it doesn't fit their narrative

[senz]

90. Their narrative doesn't fit with the facts.

Their narrative is what used to be called a tall tale.

[CharlotteVale]

17. K&R

[Fawke Em]

25. I must be an exceptional judge of character.

I'm not kidding when I say that his will make about the 20th "celebrity" that I have followed on Twitter long before this election that has since endorsed Bernie.

And, in this case, both she and Crump follow me, which makes me feel kind of special.

Well, it makes it easy when I want to thank them for their support: it auto-populates!

[Uncle Joe]

26. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, cali.

[retrowire]

34. the fact that Hillary supporters

are UPSET that a civil rights lawyer for AA's endorsed Bernie is very telling.

this is a good thing no matter how you see it.

[whatchamacallit]

40. Their support for the AA community is a mile wide and an inch deep n/t

[senz]

43. +1000 - It's pure politics for them.

Let's face it: Bernie fought for AAs from an early age, put his body on the line and always governed/voted to protect them from racist abuse, while Hillary NEVER showed an interest in what racism does to people. Just not something she has ever cared about.

[cali]

63. You sound anxious. She isn't a random black person.

Much as you may dislike that.


Madame "then I'll only talk to white people" is hardly the advocate she pretends to be.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hillary-clinton-black-lives-matter_us_55d2ad41e4b055a6dab1453f

[Truprogressive85]

110. Its amzing that HRC suppoters is making this into some type of game

and dismissing her as "just a random black person"

She a lawyer who help defend a family in a high profile case !

[uponit7771]

127. Not anxious just frustrated, we'll see.. I'd like to see Sanders numbers rise among POC but it

... aint happening right now and it's not because people don't know who he is

[frylock]

69. Random Black Person?

Fascinating.

[senz]

93. ...

You changed your avatar! I like Eeyore just fine, but the other one looked more like you. I kinda miss him.

Oh well.

[frylock]

108. I thought that I'd go with the current theme of abject defeatism.

[senz]

112. LOL!

As long as you keep posting. Everything's so damn heavy around here, we really need the wit.

[frylock]

125. I just got out the penalty box..

we'll see how long I get to post this time.

[senz]

131. So that's where you've been.

Well, I've turned into the unofficial nag on this subject, possibly irritating some fellow bernistas, but I really wish good commenters would double-check their language before posting -- although some alterters and jurors will go after harmless comments from supporters of competing candidates. But here goes:

I like you. That fact that you're funny is a huge bonus. So please be careful. We need you.

(Insert begging smilie.)

[frylock]

132. I'll try!

It's gonna be hard, especially after clearing my ignore list!

[senz]

134. Wow

regular glutton for punishment, I see.

Do be careful.

[uponit7771]

128. Yeap, basically anyone from anywhere ... that's who Bigga is

[retrowire]

70. i havent a clue what would inspire you to respond in that way...

lol

[uponit7771]

129. Bigga

[beam me up scottie]

82. Wow. Talk about tone deaf...

[myrna minx]

92. What an absolutely horrible thing to say. Natalie Jackson is not some "random black

person". What a horrible way to demean someone. Disgusting.

[uponit7771]

130. Relative to the mother? Yeah... yeah she is

[myrna minx]

135. How about her own choices and decisions? Are you pro choice? Are all Women of Color

"random black people" if they disagree with you? I find your attitude rather paternalistic. Natalie Jackson is a person in her own right, not some "random black person". Ish.

[Truprogressive85]

49. I stand with the #nataliejackson's on her endrosement of Sen.Sanders

[one_voice]

66. Good for Sanders.

[Yupy]

76. Oh my! I thought Hispanics and African Americans didn't support Bernie. I am Hispanic, Bernie 16!

[George II]

78. I think it's more important that Trayvon Martin's MOTHER has endorsed Hillary Clinton. I think....

....she's a little closer to that incident than an unrelated lawyer.

But all of that aside, why are you trying to politicize a tragic failure of the justice system?

[cali]

81. Do you realize how you sound? Ugh

[George II]

87. No more "ugh" than the OP. As for me "politicizing" it (to someone else) I didn't start this thread

[beam me up scottie]

83. You just invoked Martin's mother and you're accusing the op of politicizing the tragedy?

[senz]

86. Treyvon Martin's family attorney, a savvy AA woman, endorses Bernie Sanders.

Her clientele are fellow AAs, she has seen a lot, and she knows what's happening in the world. So she made her choice.

And that's the way it is.

[hrmjustin]

91. His mother Endorsed Hillary

http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/11/politics/hillary-clinton-trayvon-martin-sybrina-fulton-endorsement/

[beam me up scottie]

94. Is this a competition to you???

You're actually trying to diminish this woman and the importance of her endorsement to score points on an internet forum?

And you're using the dead child's mother to do it?

[hrmjustin]

96. I was making the point his mother endorsed Hillary.

[beam me up scottie]

97. You're using the tragedy to play the gotcha game with minority endorsements.

[hrmjustin]

99. His mother was very vocal in her support for Hillary.

[beam me up scottie]

100. So you're diminishing this woman and her accomplishments because you think she's not important.

This minority endorsement doesn't count because she didn't endorse the right person.

Thanks for clearing that up.

[hrmjustin]

101. "This woman" has a name, Natalie Jackson.

[beam me up scottie]

102. I'm supposed to think you care after you tried to "trump" her endorsement by bringing up another AA?

Why is her endorsement less important?

Why did you feel the need to bring up the dead child's mother in this thread?

[hrmjustin]

103. That "another AA" name is Sybrina Fulton, mother of Travyon Martin.

[beam me up scottie]

104. The decent thing to do is say that's a good endorsement or nothing at all.

You don't try to rank endorsements.

Minorities are not footballs, justin and this isn't a game.

Shameful.

[hrmjustin]

105. You should look at your own behavior before you judge others.

Keep going if you feel the need to get the last word again.

But you showed me all I need to know about you.

Good bye!

[beam me up scottie]

107. Show me where I did the same thing and played your game.

You're the one who showed his true colours, you couldn't be gracious enough to at least stay away.

Keep it classy.

[senz]

95. You're playing rock paper scissors with the Martin family!

[hrmjustin]

98. If making the point his mother endorsed Hillary is a game to you

YOU have the problem, not me.

Cheers!

[senz]

106. This thread is about Natalie Jackson's endorsement of Sanders.

You attempted one-upsmanship. You didn't even bother to discuss the OP, just tried to score a point. That's gamy.

Don't try to wiggle out of it.

[beam me up scottie]

109. He did the same thing in Segami's thread until they finally had to delete it.

Both Natalie Jackson and Sybrina Fulton are important endorsements.

There's no reason to try to hijack a positive thread about either one.

[senz]

113. I didn't know that. What a shame.

Some people don't want any good news about Bernie at all. And don't seem to care what they have to do to deflect it.

[beam me up scottie]

114. This particular endorsement really has them upset for some reason.

[senz]

120. I believe it has to do with primary electabilty.

That's why they don't want AAs to know much about Bernie. She can't win without them; her campaign thinks of AAs as its "southern firewall."

[beam me up scottie]

124. Or something else entirely.

Dismissing and demeaning every PoC who endorses Bernie looks like something else to me.

[senz]

133. Hmm, could be.

Human nature certainly has some depressing aspects.

As well as hypocritical.

[beam me up scottie]

111. Impressive background, I didn't know she was an officer in the Navy:

TJS: How do you respond to people who say that Bernie is just some old, white guy from Vermont who only appeals to white hippies?

NJ: Bernie Sanders has survived being a politician in Washington for over 25 years. He is not a wide-eyed newcomer. While I think it’s true that he appeals to “white hippies,” I also think he should appeal to black folks and the fast evaporating middle class, too. I’m a former naval intelligence officer from a military family who are proud Americans. The humanity that Bernie Sanders represents is true to the American Dream.

[farleftlib]

121. Extremely impressive. Evidently that rankles people.

But they can't take away her bona fides so they deflect with other endorsements for their candidate.

Epic fail.

[beam me up scottie]

123. Just like they did when Killer Mike endorsed Bernie.