In a powerful moment at the Democratic National Convention, members of the exonerated Central Park Five took the stage to address the audience and criticize former President Donald Trump.
Their appearance highlighted the ongoing impact of racial injustice and the importance of criminal justice reform in America.
A Wrongful Conviction Revisited
Yusef Salaam, Korey Wise, Raymond Santana, and Kevin Richardson, who were wrongly convicted of rape and assault in 1989, shared their experiences with the convention attendees. The men, once known as the Central Park Five, are now referred to as the Exonerated Five after their convictions were overturned in 2002
Trump’s Role in Their Ordeal
Korey Wise recounted the traumatic impact of Trump’s actions during their trial. “He spent $85,000 on a full-page ad in the New York Times calling for our execution. We were innocent kids,” Wise stated. Trump’s refusal to apologize for his past statements, even in light of their exoneration, was a point of contention for the group.
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A Message of Resilience and Hope
Yusef Salaam, now a New York City Council member, delivered a powerful message about overcoming adversity. “45 wanted us unalive. He wanted us dead. Today, we are exonerated,” Salaam declared
He emphasized that hate is not the driving force in America, contrary to what he believes Trump represents.
Looking Towards the Future
The Exonerated Five expressed their support for Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign. Wise noted, “Vice President Harris has also worked to make things fairer. I know she will do the same as president”
Their endorsement underscores the importance of criminal justice reform in the upcoming election.
The Impact on Black Voters
The appearance of the Exonerated Five at the convention comes at a crucial time as both parties vie for the support of Black voters. With President Biden having won 87% of Black voters in 2020, the Democratic Party is working to maintain and strengthen this support base.
Photo credit: Wiki.
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