Clinton Campaign Announces “Pa. African Americans for Hillary”

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks at a campaign rally at West Philadelphia High School on Tuesday | Photo: Dan McQuade

After a voter registration drive and policy speech in Philadelphia Tuesday, Hillary Clinton’s campaign launched “Pennsylvania African Americans for Hillary” on Wednesday. Included in the announcement was a list of the leadership council for the initiative, made up of people from across the state.

The group includes a number of Philly-area politicians and activists, including City Council President Darrell Clarke, Council members Cindy Bass, Jannie Blackwell, Derek Green, Kenyatta Johnson, Curtis Jones, Jr., and Blondell Reynolds-Brown; State Reps Jordan Harris and Dwight Evans; Former Mayors John Street and Michael Nutter; and activist/political consultant Malcolm Kenyatta.

The full list can be seen here.

While Clinton has seen consistent support from African American voters throughout the primaries and into the general election season, she has also faced heavy criticism from activists who point toward her role in the tough-on-crime era of the 1990s that led to mass incarceration.

According to a statement from the campaign, the members of the group have pledged to take action to support Clinton’s campaign, such as phone banking and door knocking.

The announcement also included policy proposals designed to improve the economy in predominately African American communities.

Clinton is currently about 9 points ahead of Republican Donald Trump in Pennsylvania.