‘This should never have happened’: Wild brawls break out at Democratic endorsing convention in Minnesota as more than 40 supporters of rival candidates clash on stage
- Shocking footage captured the moment a Democratic endorsing convention in Minnesota descended into a mass brawl
- Supporters of a challenging candidate flew into a rage when backers of an existing city councilor took to the stage
- One person was hospitalized and the convention was brought to a halt, while no arrests were made despite the ugly scenes
A Democratic endorsing convention in Minnesota was plunged into chaos as dozens of supporters of rival candidates clashed on stage.
Shocking footage captured the moment a mass brawl broke out when supporters of Minneapolis City Council candidate Nasri Warsame flew into a rage after supporters of council member Aisha Chughtai took to the stage.
‘This is embarrassing,’ shouted convention chair Sam Doten as the ugly scenes escalated. ‘We are shutting this down – this is no longer safe.’
The fighting broke out at the endorsing convention of the Minneapolis Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) Party for the Ward 10 city council election, but it ended without an endorsement and at least one person was taken to hospital by paramedics.
Shocking footage captured the moment a Democratic endorsing convention in Minnesota descended into a mass brawl
Local party leaders have condemned the violence, which kicked off when supporters of Warsame began shouting and jeering at Chughtai’s backers.
A man waving a Warsame sign then jumped onto the stage, before several others joined him, shouting and banging on tables and bringing the proceedings to a halt.
The Minneapolis Police Department said they responded to reports of people fighting, but did not observe any altercations and made no arrests.
One man in his 30s was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and paramedics treated a woman in her 40s at the scene, according to CBS News.
In a Facebook post after the clashes, Warsame said his campaign manager was ‘assaulted by one of the other campaign staff member, and he’s now being transported to hospital by an ambulance.
‘The convention was shut down due to turmoil, and all the people were instructed to exit the building,’ Warsame continued.
‘No endorsement at this point, but more questions to ask regarding the process.’
DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin described the incident as ‘extremely disheartening’ in a statement Saturday.
‘I would like to extend an apology to the delegates, volunteers, and campaign teams who attended today’s convention… This should never have happened.’
The fighting broke out after supporters of City Councilmember Aisha Choghtai, pictured, took to the stage
Challenger Nasri Warsame, pictured, said his campaign manager was assaulted in the melee
Minneapolis DFL Chair Briana Rose condemned the scenes on Twitter, as she confirmed that ‘several DFL volunteers were assaulted’.
‘The behavior displayed today was despicable and unacceptable,’ Lee wrote. ‘I don’t know the next steps yet. But there will be repercussions.’
Speaking to the Star Tribune, Wedge Live blogger John Edwards, who shared the footage of the melee, said it was unclear what exactly sparked the clashes.
‘I don’t know what triggered it,’ he said. ‘People just kind of spontaneously came forward to the stage.’
