Detroit is already getting a two-night presidential debate hosted by the Democratic National Committee and CNN in July, and now a coalition of groups has announced a forum this fall.
A debate is slated on Oct. 20 at Cobo Hall sponsored by Michigan United, a coalition of faith, labor, community, immigrant and environmental organizations. The forum will be held in conjunction with the National Immigrant Integration Conference.
A press release said that “to ensure that there is enough time for substantial conversation during the forum, only candidates that have consistently polled above 5% will qualify for the stage.”
Abdul El-Sayed, who unsuccessfully ran for governor last year and warmed up the crowd at a March Macomb County campaign stop for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said he supports the debate.
“As the presidential race heats up, it’s critical that we don’t lose sight of the real people on the ground who policies will harm or benefit,” said El-Sayed, founder of Southpaw Michigan, a group co-sponsoring the debate which supports progressive candidates.
The National Steering Committee for the event includes National Partnership for New Americans, People’s Action, and Fair Immigration Reform Movement – Action.
Co-sponsors are: SEIU Healthcare Michigan,SEIU Local 1 Detroit, Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit & Vicinity, Michigan Muslim Community Council, Indivisible Huron Valley, Michigan Nurses Association, Good Jobs Now, Genesis Church, Coalition of Labor Union Women, Birmingham Temple, Street Democracy, Emgage, MADE Institute, New American Leaders Project, Fems for Change, Restaurant Opportunity Center, ACTION of Greater Lansing, Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrants Rights, Southpaw Michigan, Congress of Communities, Michigan United, We GP, Righteous Sons, Arab American Civil Rights League, Monroe County Opportunity Project, Michigan Alliance of Latinos Moving Towards Advancement (MI ALMA).
https://www.michiganadvance.com/blog/groups-announce-detroit-presidential-debate-in-october/
