Civil rights lawyer poised to be Philadelphia DA
PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - Longtime civil rights attorney Larry Krasner's victory Tuesday in the Democratic primary for Philadelphia district attorney has the local police union hopping mad.
"They're the bottom-feeders of the city," said Fraternal Order of Police president John McNesby of the Krasner supporters who chanted anti-police slogans at a victory rally Tuesday night.
On the day after his blowout win over a crowded field of candidates, Krasner told reporters he will provide fresh leadership as district attorney.
"Unfortunately, it's been an office that's been in love with the death penalty and mass incarceration," said Krasner. "These are the things that need to change."
The 56-year-old Krasner is best known for defending protestors charged with crimes, at political conventions, at Occupy Wall Street rallies and at Black Lives Matter marches.
Asa Khalif, of BLM-Pennsylvania, was an early and ardent supporter of Krasner's candidacy, and says poor and minority communities should be rejoicing over his primary victory.
"People need to know that, if Raheem was going to get 2-to-4 years, then Elliott from the Northeast or the Greater Northeast, was going to get the exact same time," said Khalif.
He says Krasner's primary win should send a message to rogue cops:
"'Get your act together.' Because your days of abusing the community that you are sworn to protect and serve, are over. We're going to hold you accountable."
McNesby, of the FOP, says he's no fan of Krasner's view of law enforcement.
"I'll put it this way," he told FOX 29's Bruce Gordon. "I don't think we're going to be exchanging Christmas cards."
Krasner's primary campaign was aided by more than a million dollars in supportive TV ads, paid for by billionaire George Soros.
The Republican primary winner, Beth Grossman, a huge underdog in a city dominated by Democrats, has already come out swinging, accusing Soros of "purchasing" the primary for Krasner.