'We won't go back': Rev. Al Sharpton invokes joy to introduce Exonerated 5 in DNC speech
Reverend Al Sharpton took to the podium to share his experiences working with Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris during the final night of the Democratic National Convention.
Sharpton did not explicitly state that the National Action Network, the organization he founded, was endorsing the Democratic nominee but spoke glowingly about his history with Harris.
"I've worked with Kamala Harris. In every job she had she has consistently committed to making government work for those who have been disadvantaged," Sharpton said. "All Donald Trump has been consistent about is making himself richer and sowing division to make that happen."
Sharpton tapped into the Harris' campaign tagline, "we won't go back" to tie Thursday's speech to his previous work for civil rights.
Sharpton shared the stage with the Exonerated Five, a group of men convicted of then exonerated for a 1989 rape in Central Park in New York City.
Former President Donald Trump took out a full-page ad in four New York newspapers calling for the group to be handed the death penalty.
"45 wanted us unalive, he wanted us dead," New York City Councilman Yusef Salaam said. "That man thinks that hate is the animating force in America, it is not."
Watch Rev. Al Sharpton's speech with the Exonerated 5 at the DNC convention
DNC live updates: Elizabeth Warren gives emotional speech, Kamala Harris to take the stage
What to know about Rev. Al Sharpton and the Exonerated Five
- Who they are:
- Sharpton: Founder of National Action Network and MSNBC host
- The Exonerated Five: A group of five people who were charged with a 1989 rape that occured in Central Park in New York. The group was exonerated of the crime in 2002.
- What role they play: Convention speakers
- Key quote: "I see a candidate that sought to reform and uphold the law and a man who wrongly assumes that his mugshot appeals to Black Americans," Sharpton said.
How to watch and stream the 2024 DNC
The convention will air live on its website, from the United Center in Chicago between 6:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern (5:15 p.m. to 10 p.m Central) on Monday, and 7 p.m to 11 p.m. Eastern (6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Central) the other days.
Paste BN will provide livestream coverage on YouTube each night of the DNC, Monday through Thursday.
What are the themes for each night of the DNC?
The DNC announced nightly themes for the convention. The title of the convention is "For the People, For Our Future."
Here are the themes for each night:
- Monday: "For the People"
- Tuesday: "A Bold Vision for America's Future"
- Wednesday: "A Fight for our Freedoms"
- Thursday: "For our Future"