The evening’s keynote speaker, Congressman Keith Ellison, a native Detroiter and the first Muslim to serve in Congress, also has the distinction of being the first African American elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. Known for his firebrand style of politics, Ellison wowed the enthusiastic crowd with a power- packed address on the state of African American citizens in Detroit and throughout the nation.
“I first want to thank South Carolina for taking down the Confederate flag. It is unfortunate though that nine good people lost their lives for us to be shocked into reality about how offensive that symbol was,” said Ellison, adding, “what kind of people can turn around and go to [Dylan Roof’s] bail hearing and say, ‘I forgive this person.’ They decided not to burden themselves by hating and that is the definition of grace and excellence.”
Ellison went on to accuse the Detroit Water Board of racism in denying Detroit citizens water to cut losses and generate revenue.
The young Congressman from Minnesota urged African Americans nationwide to take action at ballot boxes to protect voters rights, international trade agreements and quality-of-life issues for all people of color.
Ellison is spearheading legislation to protect U.S. workers from unfair trade agreements which he says are actually modern-day slavery pacts.
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