Smith publicly disavowed Kessler months before the August 2017 rally but has continued to run in far-right circles that overlap with extremists. April Goggans, a local Black Lives Matter organizer, urged voters not to buy Smith’s story of redemption. ADADHer eyes bulged when a reporter mentioned the backlash to Smith’s past white nationalist affiliations. “You become invested in your community.”Black Republicans have aided Smith’s bid for office, including Roussan Etienne Jr., who ran for state Senate in Maryland and is managing Smith’s campaign, and Ralph Chittams, a former D.C. Council candidate. Slyde said later that she did not know about Smith’s past associations but was willing to forgive him.

Source: Washington Post October 31, 2020 15:00 UTC