Wild brawls break out at the Democratic endorsement convention in Minnesota as supporters clash on stage
‘This should never have happened’: Wild brawls erupt at Minnesota Democratic endorsement convention as more than 40 supporters of rival candidates clash on stage
- Shocking footage captured the moment a Democratic support convention in Minnesota degenerated into a mass brawl
- Supporters of a defiant candidate erupted in anger when supporters of an existing councilor took to the stage
- One person was hospitalized and the convention was halted, while no arrests were made despite the chaotic scenes
A Democratic support convention in Minnesota plunged into chaos as dozens of supporters of rival candidates clashed on stage.
Shocking footage revealed the brawl erupted as supporters of Minneapolis City Council member Aisha Chughtai stormed the stage and supporters of her challenger, Nasri Warsame, erupted in anger.
“This is embarrassing,” Congress President Sam Doten yelled as the ugly scenes escalated. “We’re shutting this down – this is no longer safe.”
The fight erupted at the Minneapolis Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) Party’s endorsement convention for the Ward 10 City Council election and ended without approval and at least one person hospitalized.
Shocking footage captured the moment a Democratic support convention in Minnesota degenerated into a mass brawl
Local party leaders condemned the violence sparked when Warsame supporters began shouting and jeering at Chughtai’s backers.
A man brandishing a Warsame sign rushed onto the stage first, before several others joined him, screaming and banging on tables – bringing proceedings to a halt.
Minneapolis police said they were responding to reports of people fighting but did not observe any altercations or make any arrests.
A man in his 30s was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and paramedics treated a woman in his 40s at the scene, according to CBS news.
In a Facebook post following the clashes, Warsame said his campaign manager was “attacked by one of the other campaign workers and is now being transported to hospital by ambulance.”
“The convention was closed due to unrest and all people were ordered to leave the building,” Warsame continued.
“No approval at this time, but more questions about the process.”
DFL party chairman Ken Martin described the incident as “extremely disheartening” in a statement on Saturday.
“I want to apologize to the delegates, volunteers and campaign teams who attended today’s convention… This should never have happened.”
Fighting erupted after supporters of City Councilor Aisha Chughtai, pictured, took to the stage
City councilor Aisha Chughtai denounced her opponent for failing to stop his supporters from storming the stage, claiming that more than a dozen of her backers had been “physically assaulted.”
“In the end, our supporters locked themselves in our hospitality room so they would be safe and away from a rapidly escalating and dangerous situation,” she said.
“The Warsame campaign followed us from the floor and was only stopped by a group of brave volunteers who blocked a corridor while our supporters escaped to safety from the locked catering area through a back door of the building.”
Challenger Nasri Warsame, pictured, said his campaign manager was attacked during the fight
Minneapolis DFL president 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.’
Talking to the Star standWedge Live blogger John Edwards, who shared footage of the fight, said it was unclear exactly what sparked the clashes.
“I don’t know what prompted it,” he said. ‘People came on stage spontaneously.’