Tonight, following the conflict that broke out during the Ward 10 Endorsing Convention in Minneapolis, the Minnesota DFL Party’s Executive Committee convened and passed two changes to the party’s bylaws. These changes put more tools at the DFL Party’s disposal to keep DFL events safe and ensure anyone engaged in violence at a DFL event is held accountable.
Following tonight’s meeting, the DFL Party’s State Central Committee will convene in the near future to ratify the additions to the party’s bylaws.
In addition, the DFL Party’s State Executive Committee took the unprecedented action of banning Nasri Warsame from ever seeking the DFL Party’s endorsement. The implementation of this action is contingent upon the ratification of the new bylaws by the DFL Party’s State Central Committee.
DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement at the conclusion of the meeting:
“As DFLers, we are a party that values inclusion, that cherishes compassion, and that will always be committed to upholding and defending democracy. Violence is anathema to the ideals and principles that power our movement and guide our work to build a better Minnesota for everyone.
“We expect candidates and campaigns to be leaders, to help prepare their delegates and supporters for conventions, and if tensions start to rise, we expect candidates and their campaigns to work to defuse those tensions. Instead, the Warsame campaign poured fuel on them until some of their supporters lashed out.
“Our endorsing conventions are complicated events, which are planned and managed entirely by volunteers. Given those circumstances, disagreements over how conventions are run and the decisions made at them are inevitable. We take those disagreements very seriously, which is why our party has clear procedures for hearing, considering, and adjudicating disputes that arise during an endorsing convention.
“No disagreement justifies the incitement, encouragement, or participation in violence against other convention attendees.
“The changes we are making to our party rules will give us the tools we need to hold those responsible for this conflict accountable and act as a deterrent at future events. Violence meant to disrupt, intimidate, and force an adjournment will never be allowed in our party. It is my sincere hope that these changes will make the Minnesota DFL Party stronger, more inclusive, and more welcoming.”
The changes approved by the DFL Party’s Executive Committee to the party’s bylaws are as follows:
BYLAW #1
The Minnesota DFL State Executive Committee, upon a 2/3rds vote of its members who are present and eligible to vote, can immediately and permanently disqualify an individual from seeking the DFL endorsement or letter of support, at any level, if the individual or supporters of their campaign have engaged in, incited or consciously condoned physical assault, threats of violence, or violent acts while actively campaigning or participating in any function of the DFL Party.
BYLAW #2
The Minnesota DFL State Executive Committee, upon a 2/3rds vote of its members who are present and eligible to vote, can permanently remove and ban any individual from elected or appointed party position, including serving as delegates or alternates to a convention, at any level, if that individual has engaged in, incited or consciously condoned physical assault, threats of violence, or violent acts during any function of the DFL Party. Because of the timely threat to members of the DFL Party, this action will be immediate and require no formal hearing or removal process by the Code of Conduct Committee.
MOTION RE. WARSAME CAMPAIGN
Contingent upon ratification of Bylaw 1 and Bylaw 2, the State Executive Committee hereby permanently disqualifies Nasri Warsame from seeking and receiving DFL endorsement or letters of support at any time in the future, for any office.