It’s no secret as to why some of Philadelphia’s most respected activists and organizers stood behind, and around, Mr. Larry Krasner, a civil rights lawyer, when on Wednesday evening he announced his intention to run for District Attorney of Philadelphia. A man whose defended protesters for over two decades, Mr. Krasner speaks the language of the resistance and understands, according to Mr. TJ Ghose – a former Occupy Philly activist who was arrested and then represented in court by the newest contender in the crowded D.A.’s race – safety in the truest sense: keeping families together and imprisoning only those who pose a danger to society.

Safety was the theme of the announcement, and it’s likely to also be the narrative of the campaign. But safety, when talked about by Mr. Krasner and his supporters, doesn’t mean more cops on the street but rather the presence of justice.

“Justice makes us safer,” said Mr. Krasner, who was rather short on words Wednesday, opting not to formally take questions from the news media, though journalists did approach him after his speech and, one-by-one, peppered him with inquiries.

Mr. Krasner’s announcement was brief, yet it, too, was succinct and positioned him as a solid reformer, one who would forego the cash bail system, make no use of the death penalty, pursue diversionary programs and apply the law, without special treatment, to Philadelphia police officers and those they’re sworn to protect. What pushes the bespectacled 55 year-old – who I interviewed in the summer of 2016 due to his and others’ offer to represent any protesters arrested for exercising free speech during the Democratic National Convention –into this particular action is the ascension of Senator Jeff Sessions, a “notorious racist,” to U.S. Attorney General.

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Mr. Krasner said it’s important, in this moment, to have on the local level a progressive leader in the Office of the District Attorney. Not even twenty-four hours old yet and Mr. Krasner’s campaign has already caused activists and leaders to break their political habits.

“I’ve given up on establishment politics, but this I will engage in,” said Mr. Ghose, who, with Mr. Krasner as a lawyer, successfully sued the City after his unlawful arrest in 2011.

Mr. Mike Lee, a young black lawyer who was named Chair of the campaign, said he doesn’t usually make his politics known, but he’s a true believer in Mr. Krasner, who’s a product of public schools in both Louisiana and Philadelphia.

One of the city’s most recognizable activists, Mr. Asa Khalif of Black Lives Matter Pennsylvania said “Larry is legendary” and confirmed to me that he, though not the organization, will endorse Mr. Krasner, who kept him out of jail on multiple occasions.

Mr. Krasner’s campaign was described by many whom I talked to as something that will change the landscape of the race. Equally, his announcement was seen as a rallying point for the advocacy community, a milestone of sorts that can further the solidarity already displayed here. Of all the candidates seeking to become the D.A., only Mr. Krasner has harnessed such a visible support from across the activist spectrum.

Mr. Gabriel Bryant, who met Mr. Krasner seven years ago when apart of the Askia Coalition – an activist cohort that sprouted up in response to the brutal beating of Mr. Askia Sabur by police outside a West Philadelphia Chinese restaurant: Mr. Sabur’s father was at Wednesday’s press conference and said Mr. Krasner became family when he was their attorney and that both he and his son, who has acquitted of aggravated assault against a police officer, attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer, simple assault, reckless endangerment and resisting arrest, have great trust in him – told me that having the advocacy community on the side of the Center City attorney will be a tremendous, and incomparable, value.

Compared to the notoriety of the Democrat incumbent, Mr. Seth Williams, who Mr. Khalif said has tainted the office with scandals, Mr. Krasner’s fame is budding. Yet, his message may help him appeal to a broader audience.

‘Justice will make us safer,’ as a theme, said Mr. Bryant, will resonate with communities across the city.

Thanks for reading. Until next time, I’m Flood the Drummer® & I’m Drumming for JUSTICE!™



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Photos courtesy of the author.