Senator Omar Fateh, a candidate for mayor of Minneapolis, held a campaign rally today in Southeast Minneapolis to condemn the recent revocation of his Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party endorsement. Approximately 300 people, including some elected officials and candidates running for varying positions, attended the event to express their support for Omar Fateh and frustration over the DFL’s decision.
Fateh, the son of Somali immigrants, addressed the crowd with passion, emphasizing his commitment to working people and the need for a city that serves all residents. He criticized the decision made by 28 party insiders to overturn his endorsement, calling it a direct affront to the will of the people. “This is exactly what people are sick of…the insider games, the back deals, and the disrespect for the people who actually live in the city,” he stated.
Fateh highlighted the disparity between privileged groups, such as donors and developers, and everyday residents, including renters and working-class families. “They get protection and priority; we get vetoes and broken promises,” he said.
Elliot Payne, City Council President representing Ward One, also spoke at the rally, stressing the importance of community representation. He remarked, “The city council is committed to representing the community and the working class, and we are not accountable to donors or big business.”
Greta Callahan, a member of the Minneapolis Public Schools board, expressed her support for Fateh. She criticized the actions of those who undermined democracy, stating, “I’m here in opposition to the little bit over a dozen people who overturned democracy.” Callahan also accused Mayor Jacob Frey of failing to support educators, noting, “I’ve had beef with him since 2022, when he left 5,000 educators on the streets.”
Christinson, a representative of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), addressed the struggles faced by low-wage workers in Minneapolis. He criticized Mayor Frey for not supporting families regarding issues like housing and fair wages, which he said directly affect students. He concluded with a call to action, chanting, “When we fight,” to which the crowd responded, “We win.”
Chelsea McFran, chair of Minneapolis for the Many, publicly endorsed Fateh, calling the DFL’s decision to rescind his endorsement undemocratic. “It’s time to make a change in Minneapolis, and now is the moment to elect Senator Omar Fateh as our mayor,” she stated.
Rep. Ancuam Mahmud was also in attendance. She told Somali Media of Minnesota that she participated in the endorsement process, which lasted more than thirteen hours. Mahmud emphasized that the delegates reached a decision and said, “I think we should stand by and honor that.” She also stressed the need for unity during these challenging times.
The Minnesota DFL recently rescinded Fateh’s endorsement following a committee’s discovery of issues with the endorsement process that took place earlier this summer.
