Detroit activist jumps into 2020 presidential race, advocating reparations

Anita Belle, a reparations activist from Detroit, has jumped into the 2020 presidential race.

“I am not a career politician or even a billionaire,” Belle, a Democrat, said while announcing her candidacy on YouTube on Tuesday. “In fact, like President Barack Obama, I am a community activist.”

Belle, who briefly ran for U.S. Senate on the Green Party ticket in 2017, said she decided to run because none of the presidential candidates has offered a detailed reparations policy. Belle added that all of the presidential hopefuls were invited to two upcoming conventions on reparations but none accepted.

So far, at least four Democratic presidential candidates — Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Julian Castro, and Marianne Williamson — have said they favor some sort of reparations. But Belle questions their sincerity.

“When every single Democratic presidential candidate failed to hear and speak with blacks who specialize in the topic of reparations, it appears that reparations are simply being dangled as a political carrot in order to get out the black vote,” Belle, who is popular in the local activist community, said.

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While the chances of Belle winning may seem slim, her presence in the race could become a much-needed catalyst for meaningful discussions on addressing systemic racism.

The Black vote is expected to be a critical factor in the presidential election, especially in swing states like Michigan, Ohio, and Florida, and Belle is tired of the same empty promises.

“It is time to repair and redeem America,” Belle said.

[link:https://www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2019/04/17/detroit-activist-jumps-into-2020-presidential-race-advocating-reparations|