Thread by @QJames

Since we're one week out from the Cleveland Mayoral primary election, I guess it's time to blow the lid on Citizens for Change PAC (aka Kevin Kelly for Mayor Inc.)

A THREAD

First - *everyone* has the right to support or oppose whoever they want to in the Cleveland Mayors race. While I support @bibb4cle, there are legitimate issues you can raise for EVERY candidate, including him.

But Citizens for Change PAC crossed the line with their hit piece against @BibbForCLE , essentially disqualifying @kevinkelleyCLE and let me explain why...

First, darkening a candidate's skin tone activates racial stereotypes among voters. It's an effective strategy used against black candidates w/ large white electorates, but there's no denying its racist intent: they want to scare white voters from voting for Bibb bc he's black.

Second, using unpaid traffic tickets or a missed rent payment as a connection to criminality or corruption is also racist, but more so DANGEROUS as it literally could put Justin's life at risk.

This is way beyond the election, as we've seen black lives taken for less. A cigarette. A $20 bill. Jogging. You think telling the entire city this black man had a warrant out for his arrest goes away on 9/14? It doesn't. It paints a picture that for most of us will never fade.

And lastly, the most troubling fact of all...the mail piece was allegedly developed & funded by the trio of Dave Wondolowski (Building Trades/CLE Port), @ProsMikeOMalley (County Prosecutor) and Bill Mason (Budish Chief of Staff & Former County Prosecutor).

Whether you all had racist intent or not, it had a racist impact & to be honest this is all quite unbelievable. The Prosecutor? The County Exec's Chief of Staff? The Exec Secretary of the Building Trades?

Come on guys...no one cares that you're supporting Kevin. But to engage in the election in this way? It shows the lengths people will go when they think no one is watching.

In my opinion, this is not only disqualifying for @kevinkelleyCLE, it deserves an immediate apology from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office, the Cuyahoga County Executive's Office and the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council.

While crime is up & COVID-19 is ravaging our community, y'all were busy spending your time pulling traffic ticket records & creating racist, criminalizing mail pieces targeting literally one of the bright, shining lights of the black community. Please do better. Please be better.

And to Justin's critics, call him inexperienced, say he's young or not ready or that he's never held office before. You can do all of that & it won't be racist or potentially put his life in danger.

To Justin's supporters, drop a donation so we can win this thing, make the runoffhttps://secure.actblue.com/donate/21fund