Our exclusive interview with new Philadelphia district attorney Larry Krasner, who blew out the competition with an ultra-progressive platform
Krasner generated a fervent following among progressives, criminal justice reform advocates, millennials, and communities of color during the campaign, due to a platform calling for an end to "mass incarceration," the constellation of state and federal policies that have put more than 2 million Americans behind bars, and his long-established reputation as an advocate for civil rights, activists, and protesters.
Business Insider traveled to Philadelphia in October to follow Krasner and his campaign. Over the course of a weekend, Business Insider spoke with Krasner for more than two hours on everything from his campaign to the 2016 election and President Donald Trump.
The transcript below is edited for length and clarity.
Harrison Jacobs: The top line headline about you, in the New York Times and other outlets is that you've sued the police 75 times, you are the lawyer for Black Lives Matter, Occupy, and every other major activist group. Do you consider yourself an activist?
Larry Krasner: I don't think I should get that much credit. I consider myself an activist's lawyer. I consider myself to be a movement lawyer. But calling myself an activist maybe gives me too much credit.
Jacobs: Why did you get into defending those causes? A sense of principle? Something else?
Historically, there's always been a problem of lawyers thinking they know everything, which is in fact a problem in life with lawyers ... There's been a culture of activism of making it clear to lawyers that the support is necessary and appreciated, but they weren't necessarily the leaders of the movement. Yeah they were the technicians for it. That's part of the reason why when you ask me if I am an activist that I respond that way.
In reference to your next question, I don't necessarily agree with every single thing that the group's I've represented stand for. I often do.
But part of my fascination with representing activists and organizers is really about free speech. That goes way back.