Assembling at Freedom Corner, several current and former Black Democratic elected officials rallied in support of Hillary Clinton and urged African Americans not to be complacent.
“People are saying the election is over, that Donald Trump cannot win—That’s poppycock,” said former Pittsburgh Councilman Sala Udin. “If we sit home on our hands, Donald Trump can win. So we have to make sure we fight like underdogs and get every vote out of the house.”
Udin said he is supporting Clinton because she is promising the “biggest urban renewal, jobs development and infrastructure building program since World War II.”
“Employment is the first thing among many things that the African American community must have a commitment from the president of the United States, and her commitment that every year 600,000 inmates are released from incarceration An inordinate number of them are African American. They need to be reintegrated back into the community. They need to be retrained.”
United Steel Workers attorney and former Allegheny County Councilwoman Amanda Green Hawkins echoed Udin’s concerns.
“Many of my brothers and sisters are deprived of jobs because we need criminal justice reform, and federal assistance with gun violence,” she said. “Both issues take many working age people out of our economy every day. We could have a million jobs, but without reform in those areas, many people will not get those jobs. I’m glad to support Hillary Clinton for those reasons.”
Pittsburgh School Board members Silvia Wilson and Regina Holley said Clinton’s commitment to justice, equality and education make her deserving of Black voter support.
“Hillary is an advocate for children,” said Holley. “She started her advocacy working for Marian Wright Edelman, and she will continue that work by helping our students and parents get out of poverty. We need everyone to vote for Hillary Rodham Clinton.”
Valerie McDonald Roberts, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s chief urban affairs officer, said that with racist organizations supporting Trump, and his own calls to limit Muslim and illegal immigration, Blacks must vote for Clinton.
“The African American community knows the issues, we need to send the message that heart and souls of America, that Hillary Rodham Clinton is fighting for, is often times in our hands,” she said. “We will not tolerate hate, divisiveness suppression and repression. We are America and will vote appropriately. So you better run to the polls—you better run scared.”
Some others attending the rally included retired Pittsburgh police officer and Democratic Party delegate Brenda Tate and retired Director of Diversity Affairs and Community Outreach for the Urban Redevelopment Authority Chuck Powell.
(J.L. Martello contributed to this story.)
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