Erica Garner: Bernie Sanders Leads Stand Against Establishment

As Democratic presidential hopefuls Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton continue to battle for key endorsements from prominent Black figures in South Carolina, the daughter of fatal police brutality victim Eric Garner met with the senator from Vermont on Tuesday as Keith Ellison, the first Muslim member of Congress, also endorsed him.

Erica Garner, whose father was choked to death by New York police Officer Daniel Pantaleo in 2014, praised Sanders as a “dedicated leader” and a “fearless public servant that is not afraid to stand against the establishment for the people” while introducing him at an event at the University of South Carolina.

The campaign event comes after Erica Garner starred in a powerful new political advertisement supporting Bernie Sanders released last week.

@JustinBamberg takes the stage ahead of @BernieSanders, speaking about police brutality pic.twitter.com/4sQ6GTUxlF

— Beth Rousseau (@BethWOLOTV) February 16, 2016

South Carolina member of Congress Justin Bamberg, who is also the lawyer for the family of Walter Scott, the unarmed Black man fatally shot by a white police officer in North Charleston, South Carolina, last year, also campaigned with Sanders in South Carolina on Tuesday.

Bamberg initially supported Clinton, but he switched his endorsement after being swayed by Sanders’ platform and the presidential candidate's bold challenge to the status quo.

Yet another packed house. @BernieSanders addressed the crowd in Charleston, SC. #FeelTheBern
✊������✊������ pic.twitter.com/Na52QWbikf

— Justin Bamberg (@JustinBamberg) February 16, 2016

Meanwhile, Democrat House Representative Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, has also endorsed Sanders for the Democratic Party nomination.

Ellison praised the Vermont senator as a believer in “true racial justice and equality” and described his bid for presidency as “a ‘believe in the possibilities we can do together’ kind of campaign.”

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“This is the right campaign if you believe this country can be better than it was,” Ellison said of Sanders’ candidacy.

Ellison is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, made up of 46 Black members of Congress. While members of the caucus are free to endorse candidates as they see fit, the corporate-funded Congressional Black Caucus PAC endorsed Clinton last week.

Cong'l Black Caucus (CBC) has NOT endorsed in presidential. Separate CBCPAC endorsed withOUT input from CBC membership, including me.

— Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) February 11, 2016

The point it that endorsements should be the product of a fair open process. Didn't happen. https://t.co/SRdFkTup3C

— Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) February 11, 2016

Ahead of the announcement of the CBC PAC endorsement, Ellison wrote on his Twitter account that members of the CBC were not consulted or asked about the announcement.

The latest boost to the Sanders campaign with important South Carolina endorsements come ahead of the state primary on Feb. 20.

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Days ahead of the primary, Clinton still holds a big lead over Sanders. While the two candidates are tied among white voters in South Carolina, the former secretary of state enjoys a significant advantage among the state’s Black community.

Making up about 30 percent of South Carolina’s population, Black voters will be a determining factor in the outcome of the state primary.