DNC: Harlem Takes Center Stage
In an already historic Democratic National Convention, Harlem leadership took center stage ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris’ final remarks on Thursday night.
“All Donald Trump has been consistent about is getting richer and sowing division to make that happen,” said the Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and President of Harlem’s National Action Network (NAN) on the stage.
“In November, we will show him when Blacks do they jobs,” Sharpton added.
Councilmember Yusef Salaam and members of the Exonerated Five Raymond Santana, Korey Wise, and Kevin Richardson then gave impassioned speeches about freedom and endorsed Harris. They spoke about being personally vilified as adolescents by former President Donald Trump.
Ariama C. Long photos
“He spent ($85,000? audio was a bit hard to hear) on a full page and in the New York Times calling for our execution,” said Wise, to which the crowd responded with boos and chants of ‘lock him up.’
“Donald Trump has never changed,” Salaam said on stage, “and he never will.”
Despite being delayed due to the weather in New York City, Salaam and Harlem’s favorite political powerhouse family – Manhattan Party Boss Keith Wright and his son, Assemblymember-elect Jordan J.G. Wright — hit the ground running at this week’s convention.
Wright said that he was incredibly moved to be in the arena during former President Barack Obama, whom many have dubbed colloquially their “forever president,” and First Lady Michelle Obama’s speeches.
“It really meant a lot to me to be in the room. There was a lot of great energy from Democrats across the country, the roll call was beautiful,” said Wright, who currently serves as Salaam’s chief of staff.
On Thursday night, day four of the DNC, Sharpton brought out Salaam and the exonerated as the arena erupted in cheers.
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