I didn't run for mayor to be the caretaker of the status quo.

There is no reason for a civilian to have an automatic weapon.

We need to ban assault weapons. We need to ban the high-capacity clips and magazines. We need serious background information, system upgrade.

I think that when we have a better educated society, when there is less violence in our cities, when people get back into the workforce and have the opportunity to take care of themselves and their families - that for me really is the kind of success and the kind of America that I think most of us still want, we aspire to.

[...] the only folks who kill black folks any more are black folks. [...] black folks kill more black folks than the KKK ever did.

If you have a deep-seated need to be loved and admired every day, you shouldn't be in politics. You should go work at a pet store.

If you walk into somebody's office with your hair uncombed and a pick in the back, and your shoes untied, and your pants half down, tattoos up and down your arms and on your neck, and you wonder why somebody won't hire you? They don't hire you 'cause you look like you're crazy!