Long-shot presidential candidate Cornel West recently announced his selection for a running mate, unveiling Melina Abdullah, a professor and co-founder of Black Lives Matter's Los Angeles chapter, as his choice. While Abdullah brings an extensive political history to the table, there are several controversial incidents that she is unlikely to discuss publicly during her campaign. Here are five key things to know about Abdullah:

1. Disruptive Mayoral Debate Incident: In 2022, Abdullah made headlines when she was forcibly removed from a mayoral debate at California State University LA's campus. She was protesting the limited access to the debate, which only allowed a small number of attendees. Abdullah, who was a Cal State LA professor at the time, voiced her disappointment in being removed, accusing one of the co-sponsors of the debate of betraying her trust.

2. Legal Battle with Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF): Abdullah sued Shalomyah Bowers, an executive at BLMGNF, in 2022, alleging misuse of organization funds. She claimed that Bowers had treated the organization as his "personal piggy bank" and funneled over $10 million to his consulting firm. BLMGNF's board of directors firmly denied these allegations, and Abdullah's lawsuit was eventually dismissed, with her being ordered to pay substantial legal fees.

3. Support for Louis Farrakhan: Abdullah has consistently praised Minister Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, despite controversies surrounding his anti-American and anti-Semitic remarks. She has been quoted expressing gratitude for sharing space with Farrakhan and defending him on social media.

4. Advocacy for Police Reform: Abdullah is a vocal advocate for police reform in Los Angeles. In the aftermath of the George Floyd protests in 2020, she pushed for extensive changes to policing and vehemently opposed a proposed increase in the police budget in 2023. Abdullah argues that the majority of Angelenos support divesting from policing and allocating those funds to community safety measures.

5. Hoax "Swatting" Incident: During the height of the George Floyd protests in August 2020, Abdullah's home was targeted in a "swatting" incident, where fake 911 calls are made to draw a SWAT team response. The LAPD dispatched officers to her residence after receiving a call claiming there were hostages inside. While the call was determined to be a hoax, Abdullah challenged the police explanation, accusing them of attempting to intimidate her.

As Abdullah steps into the spotlight as West's running mate, these details provide a nuanced understanding of her background and controversies. While she brings a strong grassroots perspective on issues of racial justice and police reform, her past encounters and affiliations may spark further debates and scrutiny as the campaign progresses.