Thousands of people across the country rallied in solidarity to support black trans-rights, Sunday.
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Black transgender activist Raquel Willis explained the movement to CNN in an interview: "This collective of folks is particularly powerful because it's modeling what is possible when you do have allies and folks who do care and also want to make sure that they're building something that speaks to the hearts of the actual people that they're representing," she said. "So often that doesn't happen."
Willis led the crowd in New York City in a chant during the protest saying "I believe in my power," while the crowd echoed the words back. "I believe in your power. I believe in our power. I believe in black trans power."
Melania Brown, the sister of Layleen Xtravaganza Cubilette-Polanco, a black transgender inmate at Rikers Island who died last year, spoke to the same crowd as well.
"Black trans lives matter," she said. "My sister's life mattered. All of the loved ones we have lost, all of these beautiful girls that we have lost. There lives matter. We have to protect them."
"We can't just talk about trans people when they're dying," Eliel Cruz, one of the co-organizers of the event, explained to CNN. "But what are we doing actively and intentionally to create space for them to be safe and well?"
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Kid Cudi Shows Support For Bernie Sanders At Los Angeles Rally
Kid Cudi was reportedly in attendance at the Bernie Sanders rally Sunday night in LA.
It looks like Kid Cudi is endorsing Bernie Sanders to be his next president of the United States. On Sunday night, The Chosen One took to his Twitter to share a photo of him and comedian Sarah Silverman, who happened to be one the special guests Sanders had enlisted to speak at his rally Sunday night at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
While Cudi didn't specifically give Bernie a shout-out, fans were quick to put out that Cudi was in fact in attendance. Other special guest included actor Dick Van Dyke and legendary hip-hop group Public Enemy, who actually fired Flavor Flav over it, causing quite a stir online which you can read about here.
In addition, Silverman later shared the same pic of the two backstage, joking that Cudi was her "nephew."
The support for Bernie shouldn’t come as much a surprise though. Back in October, Cudi responded to a Bernie Sanders’ tweet about how "idiotic" it is that the federal government still chooses to treat marijuana as though it boasts heroin-esque possibilities for danger. Cudi chimed in at the time with a "Yeaaaa Bernie!!” So it’s pretty safe to say Cudi is riding with the Sanders campaign for 2020.
Chuck D Clarifies Flavor Flav & Bernie Sanders Situation On Twitter
Chuck D clarifies the situation regarding Public Enemy's endorsement of Bernie Sanders for President of the United States.
After days of public disagreement between Chuck D and Flavor Flav, Chuck D has clarified the situation on his Twitter.
He explained that his support for Sanders stems from the loss of his father in 2016 and his support for Medicare for All.
"My Dad passing in 2016 and Granddaughter being born automatically put healthcare and childcare at the top of my brain. There ain’t a candidate running that can answer to 3 Black struggling generations living in the same crib, same time. If y’all don’t know THIS-it’s a bad problem
"I dig aspects of Bern. Hate the party Bulsht. But can relate to half the issues & get forward. Use your minds & be ready to fight whoever in office. My rap bro @KillerMike is nice.I am not-Wake the fcuk up get off your asses make yourself important where YOU live. This aint vodka."
He also continues by explaining that Flav doesn't care about politics so "Don't attack Flav on what he don't know."
"...It’s not about BERNIE with Flav," he says. "he don’t know the difference between BarrySanders or BernieSanders he don’t know either..."
Saturday, Flav's lawyer released a statement saying, "Flav has always delivered his authentic self. That authenticity compels him to speak out to ensure voters are not misled and that Public Enemy’s music does not become the soundtrack of a fake revolution."
Bon Iver Channels Bob Dylan While Performing Two Covers At Bernie Sanders Rally
Vernon mimics Dylan’s signature whine at Iowa ralley.
What song could be more inspiring and fitting to hear at a political rally than Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin”? Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon made a smart decision to cover that classic while performing at a Bernie Sanders rally in Clive, Iowa on Saturday (Feb. 1).
Actually, Bon Iver covered two Bob Dylan songs during his eight-song set at the Horizon Events Center. Sanders himself was not present at the event due to impeachment trial votes that were taking place in the Senate. The recording of the full rally shows the Kanye collaborator testing out his best Dylan impression as he sings “The Times They Are A-Changin” and “With God On Our Side” in a nasally voice. Aside from another cover of Leon Russell’s “A Song For You”, Vernon filled the rest of the set with his own songs, including “Towers”, “Heavenly Father“, “Flume“, “Blood Bank” and “For Emma”. You can watch Bon Iver close out the event in the video below.
Vernon also endorsed Sanders at a 2016 rally in his hometown of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Other musicians scheduled to perform at upcoming rallies of the Democratic presidential candidate are Vampire Weekend (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and The Strokes (New Hampshire).
