What’s less surprising… that McGee would return to politics in Milwaukee as if nothing happened or that so many other Milwaukee politicians want to be associated with him?

McGee, who served time in prison after being convicted of taking bribes and other crimes, returned to City Hall on Monday for a rally aimed at encouraging people to vote in the upcoming spring election.

“This is the worst place for black folks, and black people, no matter how much money you make,” McGee told the crowd. “It’s time for us to really just take the city over — we’re one of the biggest ethnic groups. And it’s time not just for black folks, but all people of color in this city, to unite around changing our conditions.”

McGee said the push to encourage people to participate in early voting, which started Monday, was just the beginning of his “We Built This City” movement. Flanked by people holding signs and wearing shirts featuring a photograph of black workers at City Hall in 1895, McGee said the “city was built on the backs of black people.”

McGee was joined at the rally by representatives from Pastors United, the Nation of Islam, mayoral candidate Ald. Joe Davis, Ald. Milele Coggs, and other Common Council candidates.