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Videos show Minneapolis Democrat event descend into farcical brawl, but cops say they saw 'nothing'

The Minneapolis Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) Party's Ward 10 convention came to an end with one person in the hospital

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: A Democrat endorsing convention in Minnesota turned violent after numerous supporters of competing candidates clashed on stage. The Minneapolis Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) Party's Ward 10 convention came to an end with one person in the hospital and another requiring medical assistance on the spot, and no endorsement.

"This is embarrassing," convention chair Sam Doten exclaimed as the unpleasant scenes intensified. "We are shutting this down - this is no longer safe." The brawl started when supporters of Minneapolis City Council member Aisha Chughtai took the platform, infuriating those who supported her challenger, Nasri Warsame. 

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What happened at the convention?

Local party leaders criticized the violence that erupted when Nasri Warsame's supporters began yelling and mocking Aisha Chughtai's followers. A man brandishing a Warsame sign was the first to storm the stage, followed by many others shouting and beating on tables, bringing the event to an abrupt end. The Minneapolis Police Department claimed that although it rushed to claims of fights, it did not witness any clashes and did not make any arrests.

Warsame's response

Paramedics attended to a woman in her 40s at the site while a male in his 30s was transported to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, reported CBS News. Warsame stated his campaign manager was "assaulted by one of the other campaign staff member, and he's now being transported to hospital by an ambulance" in a social media post following the altercations. He wrote in his caption, "Just visited one of my delegates in hospital, wish her quick recovery! Violence & unfairness have no place in democracy!!"

"The convention was shut down due to turmoil, and all the people were instructed to exit the building," Warsame went on. "No endorsement at this point, but more questions to ask regarding the process."

Chughtai calls out violence

Chughtai, who describes herself as a "renter, union organizer, eldest daughter from a Muslim immigrant family, and socialist, representing Ward 10 on the Minneapolis City Council," took to Twitter to blame Warsame. She wrote, "Today was horrifying, unacceptable, and indicative of the growing threat to progressive, pro-people candidates and movement leaders."

'Our supporters locked themselves in'

Chughtai criticized her opponent for neglecting to stop his supporters from storming the stage and claimed more than a dozen of her followers were "physically assaulted." "Eventually, our supporters locked themselves in our hospitality room, so they would be safe and away from a rapidly escalating and dangerous situation," she stated. "The Warsame campaign followed us off the floor and was only held back by a group of brave volunteers who blocked a hallway while our supporters were able to escape from the locked hospitality room out a back door of the building to safety."

'Very embarrassing'

As the fight's footage went viral on social media, the local politicians received a barrage of criticism from netizens. A user said on Twitter, "They call it “our democracy” .." Another wrote, "Good job Minnesota," with a photo of the map featuring the phrase "0 days without being National Embarrassment." "They can't do anything in groups without chaos ensuing uncivilized animals," an outraged user noted. Someone else mentioned, "HAHAHA! Minority dems resort to violence of course. Who would live in Minneapolis!" Meanwhile, many slammed Warsame on his Facebook posts, with one commenting, "The video shows your delegates were out of control..I suggest you sit them down and explain convention decorum.. Republicans will have a field day with the video ..very embarrassing for the DFL."

Who is the chairman of DFL Minnesota?

Ken Martin serves as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, president of the Association of State Democratic Committees, and chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, as per the website. The chairman called the sudden stage brawl "extremely disheartening." "Harassment and violence are unacceptable, and we expect candidates and their campaign teams to work hard to curb such behavior when it comes from their supporters, staffers, or volunteers," Martin stated. "Warsame and his team took the opposite approach at today's convention by escalating the situation and encouraging conflict," he said, as per CBS. He later added, "I would like to extend an apology to the delegates, volunteers, and campaign teams who attended today's convention... This should never have happened." 

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