Progressive US Senator Bernie Sanders endorses Palestinian-American lawyer for Manhattan district attorney

Senator Bernie Sanders on Wednesday endorsed Tahanie Aboushi, the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, as a progressive candidate for Manhattan district attorney (DA).

The progressive senator for Vermont took to Twitter to make a batch of endorsements for the upcoming New York City elections, including positions for city councils, public advocate, Brooklyn borough president, and Manhattan DA.

Among the recommendations he made was one for Aboushi, a civil rights attorney.

"For Manhattan District Attorney, I'm proud to endorse @TahanieNYC who will lead the wave of progressive prosecutors working to end mass incarceration and change the face of criminal justice in this country," he wrote.

Aboushi is running on a progressive platform of decarceration, community investment, law enforcement accountability and immigrant protection..

She said in a video on Twitter that her campaign was excited to have Sanders' support and reminded New Yorkers that early voting is 12 to 20 June and election day is 22 June.

"This is a historic moment, and we need all hands on deck," she said.

At the beginning of his thread, Sanders wrote: "In just two weeks, New Yorkers have the chance to elect candidates who understand that working people are hurting and the time is now for New York City's government to represent ordinary people and not just the 1%."

Sanders lost out to Joe Biden as the Democrats' presidential candidate in 2019 but won the support of huge numbers of American youth due to his progressive politics. 

For Manhattan District Attorney, I’m proud to endorse @TahanieNYC who will lead the wave of progressive prosecutors working to end mass incarceration and change the face of criminal justice in this country. pic.twitter.com/eNB8eECrAu

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 9, 2021