BLM Leader Shaun King Endorses Shelby Township’s El-Sayed

Activist and Black Lives Matter leader Shaun King endorsed Abdul El-Sayed for governor Monday. El-Sayed, who led Detroit’s public health department and calls the Flint water crisis a prime motive for his run, was pleased to accept King’s support.

“Shaun is one of our nation’s leading voices for equity and racial justice,” El-Sayed said in a statement. “His support tells us that our progressive ideals and policy ideas for Michigan are consistent with a broader progressive movement toward a more just, equitable, and sustainable country. I am thankful for his solidarity and support.” El-Sayed added.

In addition to King’s endorsement, El-Sayed received official support from Congressman Ro Khanna, the Michigan Nurses Association, The People for Bernie Sanders, Millennials for Revolution, and local chapters of the progressive organization Our Revolution in Lansing, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids.

In endorsing El-Sayed, King cited the doctor, Rhodes Scholar and University of Michigan grad’s courage and commitment to equality.

"Abdul is not just fresh and new. That's not enough. He's smart and compassionate. He's skilled and strategic. He's courageous,” King said. “He cares about all of Michigan and will put the state on the path to be being a beacon of equality and fairness. I believe in Abdul and will fight my heart out to help him help Michigan,” King’s statement concludes.

Since starting his bid for the Democratic nomination, El-Sayed, 33, has raised over $2 million, mostly in small donations. El-Sayed says he has not, not will he, accept money from corporate political action committees (PACs).

“In a political system that favors mega-rich individuals and massive corporations, raising enough money to compete means earning the trust of the people who you hope will support you,” El-Sayed said. “We’re absolutely thrilled with what we’ve been able to do: build a true grassroots movement funded by real people, not corporations. This is the kind of movement that will create the kind of change we need in Michigan.”

Seventy-eight percent of El-Sayed’s donations are under $100, according to the campaign.

Photo via Abdul El-Sayed For Governor.