Aaron Dixon
Encyclopedia
Aaron Dixon is an American
activist
and a former captain of the Seattle chapter of the Black Panther Party
for its initial four years. In 2006, he ran for the United States Senate
in Washington state
on the Green Party
ticket.
to end housing discrimination in Seattle, and was one of the first volunteers to participate in the busing program to integrate schools.
While a member of the Black Panthers, Dixon started the Free Breakfast for Children
program that fed thousands of hungry African American
children; and he helped to open a free community medical and legal clinic. The clinic continues to this day as the Carolyn Downs Clinic, now part of Country Doctor Community Health Center. At the same time, according to the Seattle Weekly
, the Panthers were involved in the "firebombing [of] businesses and institutions that they considered racist."
Aaron also became involved in electoral politics when he worked on the mayoral campaign of Lionel Wilson
, who was elected as the first black mayor of Oakland, California
in 1977.
After leaving the Panthers, Dixon worked for several non-profit organization
s, focusing on drug and gang violence and working with homeless youth. In 2002, he founded Central House, a non-profit providing transitional housing for homeless young adults. Central House also has a Youth Leadership Project that operates at four Seattle public high schools. It teaches youth to think positively, graduate high school, and control their own destinies. It also teaches them the importance of serving their community.
Dixon is the father of six and lives in Beacon Hill
.
nomination for U.S. Senate, challenging Maria Cantwell
on her continued support for the U.S. presence in Iraq and the USA PATRIOT Act
.
His platform included a call for immediate withdrawal from Iraq, the repeal of the PATRIOT Act, support of same-sex marriage
, to implement a system of universal single-payer health care
, to end the war on drugs
and bring back attention to the issue of poverty.
On April 8, 2006, the Dixon campaign officially kicked off its campaign with a 350-person event at the Garfield Community Center, where he raised US$4,000. Speakers included Amy Hagopian and Elaine Brown. On May 13, 2006, Dixon was overwhelmingly nominated as the Green Party of Washington State's nominee for the U.S. Senate.
On July 10, 2006, the Secretary of State's office announced that the Dixon campaign had gathered the appropriate nomination signatures and that Aaron Dixon would appear on the November ballot. Also appearing on the ballot were Libertarian
nominee Bruce Guthrie
, independent candidate
Robin Adair and, after September 19 primary victories, incumbent Democrat
, Maria Cantwell
and Republican
challenger, Mike McGavick
.
". Dixon denies that he is a spoiler, arguing that Cantwell's support for the 2003 Iraq War meant that he would draw anti-war voters that would not support Cantwell.
Dixon's entrance into what many speculated would be a tightly contested race captured immediate media attention and was quickly endorsed by Brita Butler-Wall, the President of the Seattle School Board and Sally Soriano, a fellow Board director, Amy Hagopian, the President of the Garfield High School PTSA, as well as Olympia city councilman T.J. Johnson, Ralph Nader
's 2004 running mate, Peter Miguel Camejo, former chairperson of the Black Panther Party Elaine Brown
, Malik Rahim
, founder of the Common Ground Collective
and Todd Chretien
, organizer of the San Francisco Proposition I/College Not Combat
initiative and 2006 Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate in California.
Dixon faced criticism for having criminal charges on his record, most for traffic violations, and owing the city and county substantial fines as a result. Public records circulated by a local Republican Party activist also showed that Dixon owed several thousand dollars to a former spouse for child support
payments. Dixon described these as additional costs in addition to his agreed payments, and indicated he was working to pay the debt.
In August 2006, the Dixon campaign won the endorsement of some prominent anti-war activists, including Anthony Arnove
, author of Iraq: the Logic of Withdrawal and co-author (with Howard Zinn
) of Voices of a People's History of the United States.
On September 25, CounterPunch
reported that the Dixon campaign had been contacted in July by former candidate and Cantwell campaign staffer, Mark Wilson, with the implication of large donations to Dixon's non-profit, Central House if he were to withdraw his candidacy before filing. According to Dixon, "Mark [Wilson] called and basically told me that a lot of people have a lot of money within the Cantwell campaign, and he said that they could put on a fundraiser for Central House that would 'blow my mind'. He called a week later and basically told me the same thing. I didn't bite, ending this war is too important." Dixon claims that Wilson was not the only Cantwell staffer to call his campaign headquarters with the hope of convincing him to drop out of the race, but Dixon declined to name other names. In response, Cantwell campaign spokeswoman Katharine Lister said she did not know of any staffer in contact with Dixon and said no one on the campaign "was authorized to speak with Mr. Dixon about his candidacy".
On October 17, Dixon was arrested for trespassing at KING-5 television studio in Seattle, in protest of his exclusion from the televised U.S. Senate debate being filmed there. A KING video of the arrest showed Aaron Dixon being led out of the lobby by officers and then placed in the back of a police car in handcuffs, as dozens of his supporters chanted “Let him go!” Seattle Police confirmed that someone was arrested for trespassing, but declined to immediately release the person’s name.
Dixon did not meet the sponsors’ criteria of public support or fundraising to participate in the debate, which was put on by KING, KREM-TV of Spokane, The Seattle Times, the Northwest News Network and the Seattle City Club. To take part, candidates had to have garnered 10 percent of the tally in a scientific poll; be the nominated candidate of a party that won 10 percent of the vote in the last election; or have raised at least $1.2 million.
Libertarian candidate Bruce Guthrie
mortgaged his home to come up with the money. He said during the debate that all five candidates should have been allowed to take part.
After the arrest, about 50 Dixon supporters marched several blocks from the television station to the Seattle Police Department's west precinct. They then marched back to the television station, where they rejoined a crowd of political activists.
More than 40 supporters of Cantwell and McGavick camped outside during the debate, waving signs and yelling campaign slogans.
Mike McGavick (R) 832,106 - 39.9334%
Bruce Guthrie (L) 29,331 - 1.4076%
Aaron Dixon (G) 21,254 - 1.0200%
Robin Adair (I) 16,384 votes - 0.7863%
on January 27, 2007 in Seattle, which had a turn out of several thousand.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
activist
Activism
Activism consists of intentional efforts to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing...
and a former captain of the Seattle chapter of the Black Panther Party
Black Panther Party
The Black Panther Party wasan African-American revolutionary leftist organization. It was active in the United States from 1966 until 1982....
for its initial four years. In 2006, he ran for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in Washington state
Washington State
Washington State may refer to:* Washington , often referred to as "Washington state" to differentiate it from Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States* Washington State University, a land-grant college in that state- See also :...
on the Green Party
Green Party (United States)
The Green Party of the United States is a nationally recognized political party which officially formed in 1991. It is a voluntary association of state green parties. Prior to national formation, many state affiliates had already formed and were recognized by other state parties...
ticket.
Background
As an adolescent, Dixon marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
to end housing discrimination in Seattle, and was one of the first volunteers to participate in the busing program to integrate schools.
While a member of the Black Panthers, Dixon started the Free Breakfast for Children
Free Breakfast for Children
In January, 1969, the Free Breakfast for School Children Program was initiated at St. Augustine's Church in Oakland by the Black Panther Party. The Panthers would cook and serve food to the poor inner city youth of the area. Initially run out of a St...
program that fed thousands of hungry African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
children; and he helped to open a free community medical and legal clinic. The clinic continues to this day as the Carolyn Downs Clinic, now part of Country Doctor Community Health Center. At the same time, according to the Seattle Weekly
Seattle Weekly
Seattle Weekly is a freely distributed newspaper in Seattle, Washington, United States. It was founded by Darrell Oldham and David Brewster as The Weekly...
, the Panthers were involved in the "firebombing [of] businesses and institutions that they considered racist."
Aaron also became involved in electoral politics when he worked on the mayoral campaign of Lionel Wilson
Lionel Wilson
Lionel J. Wilson was an African American political figure and a member of the Democratic Party. He was the first African American mayor of Oakland, California, serving three-terms as mayor of Oakland from 1977 until 1991....
, who was elected as the first black mayor of Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
in 1977.
After leaving the Panthers, Dixon worked for several non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
s, focusing on drug and gang violence and working with homeless youth. In 2002, he founded Central House, a non-profit providing transitional housing for homeless young adults. Central House also has a Youth Leadership Project that operates at four Seattle public high schools. It teaches youth to think positively, graduate high school, and control their own destinies. It also teaches them the importance of serving their community.
Dixon is the father of six and lives in Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill, Seattle, Washington
Beacon Hill is a hill and neighborhood in southeast Seattle, Washington. The municipal government subdivides it into North Beacon Hill, Mid-Beacon Hill, Holly Park, and South Beacon Hill, though most people who live there simply call it "Beacon Hill." Home to the world headquarters of Amazon.com...
.
2006 United States Senate race
On March 9, 2006, Dixon announced his decision to seek the Green Party'sGreen Party (United States)
The Green Party of the United States is a nationally recognized political party which officially formed in 1991. It is a voluntary association of state green parties. Prior to national formation, many state affiliates had already formed and were recognized by other state parties...
nomination for U.S. Senate, challenging Maria Cantwell
Maria Cantwell
Maria E. Cantwell is the junior United States Senator from the state of Washington and a member of the Democratic Party....
on her continued support for the U.S. presence in Iraq and the USA PATRIOT Act
USA PATRIOT Act
The USA PATRIOT Act is an Act of the U.S. Congress that was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 26, 2001...
.
His platform included a call for immediate withdrawal from Iraq, the repeal of the PATRIOT Act, support of same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
, to implement a system of universal single-payer health care
Single-payer health care
Single-payer health care is medical care funded from a single insurance pool, run by the state. Under a single-payer system, universal health care for an entire population can be financed from a pool to which many parties employees, employers, and the state have contributed...
, to end the war on drugs
War on Drugs
The War on Drugs is a campaign of prohibition and foreign military aid and military intervention being undertaken by the United States government, with the assistance of participating countries, intended to both define and reduce the illegal drug trade...
and bring back attention to the issue of poverty.
On April 8, 2006, the Dixon campaign officially kicked off its campaign with a 350-person event at the Garfield Community Center, where he raised US$4,000. Speakers included Amy Hagopian and Elaine Brown. On May 13, 2006, Dixon was overwhelmingly nominated as the Green Party of Washington State's nominee for the U.S. Senate.
On July 10, 2006, the Secretary of State's office announced that the Dixon campaign had gathered the appropriate nomination signatures and that Aaron Dixon would appear on the November ballot. Also appearing on the ballot were Libertarian
Libertarian Party (United States)
The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
nominee Bruce Guthrie
Bruce Guthrie
Bruce Guthrie is an American politician and lecturer in the Department of Management at Western Washington University. He is also a competitive speed skater, and a coach in the Whatcom Speed Skating Club and developmentally disabled adults through NW Washington Special Olympics...
, independent candidate
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
Robin Adair and, after September 19 primary victories, incumbent Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, Maria Cantwell
Maria Cantwell
Maria E. Cantwell is the junior United States Senator from the state of Washington and a member of the Democratic Party....
and Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
challenger, Mike McGavick
Mike McGavick
Michael S. "Mike" McGavick is an American business executive and a graduate of the University of Washington....
.
Endorsements and criticisms
Positive reactions to Dixon's candidacy have come from some local progressives, peace activists, gay rights activists and community leaders, as well as Republican Chairwoman Diane Tebelius. Negative reactions from other Democrats cited the "spoiler effectSpoiler effect
The spoiler effect describes the effect a minor party candidate with little chance of winning has in a close election, when that candidate's presence in the election draws votes from a major candidate similar to them, thereby causing a candidate dissimilar to them to win the election...
". Dixon denies that he is a spoiler, arguing that Cantwell's support for the 2003 Iraq War meant that he would draw anti-war voters that would not support Cantwell.
Dixon's entrance into what many speculated would be a tightly contested race captured immediate media attention and was quickly endorsed by Brita Butler-Wall, the President of the Seattle School Board and Sally Soriano, a fellow Board director, Amy Hagopian, the President of the Garfield High School PTSA, as well as Olympia city councilman T.J. Johnson, Ralph Nader
Ralph Nader
Ralph Nader is an American political activist, as well as an author, lecturer, and attorney. Areas of particular concern to Nader include consumer protection, humanitarianism, environmentalism, and democratic government....
's 2004 running mate, Peter Miguel Camejo, former chairperson of the Black Panther Party Elaine Brown
Elaine Brown
Elaine Brown is an American prison activist, writer, singer, and former Black Panther leader who is based in Oakland, California. She is a former chairperson of the Black Panther Party. Brown briefly ran for the Green Party presidential nomination in 2008...
, Malik Rahim
Malik Rahim
Malik Rahim is a former Black Panther, and a long-time housing and prison activist in the U.S. state of Louisiana. He gained publicity as a community organizer in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina....
, founder of the Common Ground Collective
Common Ground Collective
The Common Ground Collective is a decentralized network of non-profit organizations offering support to the residents of New Orleans. It was formed in the Algiers neighborhood of the city in the days after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.-History:...
and Todd Chretien
Todd Chretien
Todd Chretien , an American activist. Chretien is a leading member of the International Socialist Organization. He was the Green Party candidate for United States Senate in California in 2006.-Background:...
, organizer of the San Francisco Proposition I/College Not Combat
Proposition I/College Not Combat
Proposition I was a ballot measure passed by residents of San Francisco, California on November 5, 2005, with 60% in support. This proposition, which does not carry enforcement power, declared the city's opposition to military recruitment in public high schools and universities and stated that...
initiative and 2006 Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate in California.
Dixon faced criticism for having criminal charges on his record, most for traffic violations, and owing the city and county substantial fines as a result. Public records circulated by a local Republican Party activist also showed that Dixon owed several thousand dollars to a former spouse for child support
Child support
In family law and public policy, child support is an ongoing, periodic payment made by a parent for the financial benefit of a child following the end of a marriage or other relationship...
payments. Dixon described these as additional costs in addition to his agreed payments, and indicated he was working to pay the debt.
In August 2006, the Dixon campaign won the endorsement of some prominent anti-war activists, including Anthony Arnove
Anthony Arnove
Anthony Arnove is a freelance literary editor, agent and activist based in Brooklyn. He is on the board of directors of Haymarket Books, and is active in the National Writers Union and the International Socialist Organization.- Early life :...
, author of Iraq: the Logic of Withdrawal and co-author (with Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn was an American historian, academic, author, playwright, and social activist. Before and during his tenure as a political science professor at Boston University from 1964-88 he wrote more than 20 books, which included his best-selling and influential A People's History of the United...
) of Voices of a People's History of the United States.
On September 25, CounterPunch
Counterpunch
Counterpunch can refer to:* Counterpunch , a punch in boxing* CounterPunch, a bi-weekly political newsletter* Counterpunch , a type of punch used in traditional typography* Punch-Counterpunch, a Transformers character...
reported that the Dixon campaign had been contacted in July by former candidate and Cantwell campaign staffer, Mark Wilson, with the implication of large donations to Dixon's non-profit, Central House if he were to withdraw his candidacy before filing. According to Dixon, "Mark [Wilson] called and basically told me that a lot of people have a lot of money within the Cantwell campaign, and he said that they could put on a fundraiser for Central House that would 'blow my mind'. He called a week later and basically told me the same thing. I didn't bite, ending this war is too important." Dixon claims that Wilson was not the only Cantwell staffer to call his campaign headquarters with the hope of convincing him to drop out of the race, but Dixon declined to name other names. In response, Cantwell campaign spokeswoman Katharine Lister said she did not know of any staffer in contact with Dixon and said no one on the campaign "was authorized to speak with Mr. Dixon about his candidacy".
October 17 debate exclusion and arrest
Dixon did not meet the sponsors’ criteria of public support or fundraising to participate in the debate, which was put on by KING, KREM-TV of Spokane, The Seattle Times, the Northwest News Network and the Seattle City Club. To take part, candidates had to have garnered 10 percent of the tally in a scientific poll; be the nominated candidate of a party that won 10 percent of the vote in the last election; or have raised at least $1.2 million.
Libertarian candidate Bruce Guthrie
Bruce Guthrie
Bruce Guthrie is an American politician and lecturer in the Department of Management at Western Washington University. He is also a competitive speed skater, and a coach in the Whatcom Speed Skating Club and developmentally disabled adults through NW Washington Special Olympics...
mortgaged his home to come up with the money. He said during the debate that all five candidates should have been allowed to take part.
After the arrest, about 50 Dixon supporters marched several blocks from the television station to the Seattle Police Department's west precinct. They then marched back to the television station, where they rejoined a crowd of political activists.
More than 40 supporters of Cantwell and McGavick camped outside during the debate, waving signs and yelling campaign slogans.
Election results
Maria Cantwell (D) 1,184,659 - 56.8527%Mike McGavick (R) 832,106 - 39.9334%
Bruce Guthrie (L) 29,331 - 1.4076%
Aaron Dixon (G) 21,254 - 1.0200%
Robin Adair (I) 16,384 votes - 0.7863%
Post-campaign
In the months following the campaign, Dixon has reorganized much of the campaign's organization into the Center for Social Justice, based out of the campaign's former headquarters in Seattle's Central district. The Center has already organized an anti-war rally and marchJanuary 27, 2007 anti-war protest
The January 27, 2007 anti-war protest was an anti-war march sponsored by United for Peace and Justice in Washington, D.C.. The official event consisted of a rally and march at the United States Capitol. Notable attendees included Sean Penn, Korean War veteran and Congressman John Conyers, Susan...
on January 27, 2007 in Seattle, which had a turn out of several thousand.