MINNEAPOLIS – Politics as a blood sport will not be tolerated, the state Democratic chair, Ken Martin, said for a brawl that broke up a City Council nominating convention for a central Minneapolis neighborhood. Martin said the Democratic Party will consider expelling anyone involved. At least two people were injured. Martin said he will call an emergency meeting to assess what happened. Supporters of candidate Nasri Warsame jeered as incumbent City Council member Aisha Chughtai prepared to speak. Then Warsame the supporters stormmed the stage. Pandemonium erupted. There were no arrests, police said, because combatants’ were dispersing by the time officers arrived, Officers withessed only the poster-strewn n aftermath.
Chughtai. City Council incumbent.
Warsame. Ward 10 challenger.
Verbatim
Martin: “Harassment and violence are unacceptable, and we expect candidates and their campaign teams to work hard to curb such behavior when it comes from their supporters, staffers or volunteers. Warsame and his team took the opposite approach at today’s convention by escalating the situation and encouraging conflict.”