Al Sharpton and the Central Park Five at the Democratic National Convention

Al Sharpton, a prominent civil rights leader, delivered an impassioned speech on the fourth night of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) held in Chicago. During his remarks, Sharpton strongly criticized Donald Trump for his past actions related to racial issues.

Sharpton, who has known Trump for over 40 years, highlighted Trump’s controversial full-page newspaper ads from 1989 calling for the execution of the five Black and Brown teenagers known as the Central Park Five. These young individuals were wrongly convicted of a highly publicized crime.

“He spent a small fortune on full-page ads calling for the execution of five innocent young teenagers,” stated Sharpton in reference to the case. Trump’s ads pushed to reinstate the death penalty amid a climate of racial tension in New York City at the time.

In his address, Sharpton recalled his personal connection to the civil rights movement, mentioning that he has walked with Kamala Harris in Selma, Alabama, to commemorate significant historical events. He emphasized the importance of unity and social justice.

Later in the evening, the Central Park Five joined Sharpton on stage to share their story, urging the DNC audience to support Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. The five men, whose convictions were vacated in 2002 after the real perpetrator confessed, expressed gratitude for the support they received in their fight for justice.

One of the exonerated members, Yusef Salaam, remarked, “Today we are exonerated because the actual perpetrator confessed and DNA proved it.” He criticized Trump for continuing to stand by the original verdict despite clear evidence of their innocence.

Sharpton concluded his remarks by rallying the audience to vote in the upcoming election, stating that marginalized communities would unite in their efforts to hold accountable those who have caused them harm.