MN Democrats Ban Nasri Warsame From Seeking Party's Endorsement

ST. PAUL, MN — Leaders of Minnesota's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party voted to ban Nasri Warsame from ever seeking the party's endorsement on Thursday night.

The executive committee made the "unprecedented" decision after a brawl broke out during Saturday's city council endorsing convention in Minneapolis. DFL Chairman Ken Martin blamed the fight on supporters of Warsame.

"We expect candidates and campaigns to be leaders, to help prepare their delegates and supporters for conventions, and if tensions start to rise, we expect candidates and their campaigns to work to defuse those tensions," Martin said in a statement Thursday.

"Instead, the Warsame campaign poured fuel on them until some of their supporters lashed out."

When supporters of City Council Member Aisha Chughtai took the stage Saturday, Warsame supporters apparently sparked chaos by jumping on stage, sparking a brawl. Wedge LIVE! recorded and uploaded video from the incident.

In addition to punishing Warsame, the executive committee Thursday passed two changes to the party’s bylaws that "put more tools at the DFL Party’s disposal to keep DFL events safe and ensure anyone engaged in violence at a DFL event is held accountable."

The DFL's State Central Committee will need to ratify the new bylaws and the motion against Warsame before they can become official:

BYLAW #1

The Minnesota DFL State Executive Committee, upon a 2/3rds vote of its members who are present and eligible to vote, can immediately and permanently disqualify an individual from seeking the DFL endorsement or letter of support, at any level, if the individual or supporters of their campaign have engaged in, incited or consciously condoned physical assault, threats of violence, or violent acts while actively campaigning or participating in any function of the DFL Party.

BYLAW #2

The Minnesota DFL State Executive Committee, upon a 2/3rds vote of its members who are present and eligible to vote, can permanently remove and ban any individual from elected or appointed party position, including serving as delegates or alternates to a convention, at any level, if that individual has engaged in, incited or consciously condoned physical assault, threats of violence, or violent acts during any function of the DFL Party. Because of the timely threat to members of the DFL Party, this action will be immediate and require no formal hearing or removal process by the Code of Conduct Committee.

MOTION RE. WARSAME CAMPAIGN

Contingent upon ratification of Bylaw 1 and Bylaw 2, the State Executive Committee hereby permanently disqualifies Nasri Warsame from seeking and receiving DFL endorsement or letters of support at any time in the future, for any office.

"No disagreement justifies the incitement, encouragement, or participation in violence against other convention attendees," Martin added in his statement.

"The changes we are making to our party rules will give us the tools we need to hold those responsible for this conflict accountable and act as a deterrent at future events. Violence meant to disrupt, intimidate, and force an adjournment will never be allowed in our party. It is my sincere hope that these changes will make the Minnesota DFL Party stronger, more inclusive, and more welcoming."

Patch has reached out to Nasri Warsame.