Rev. Sharpton’s 2024 NAN Annual Convention wraps with a presidential call from Biden
The Rev. Al Sharpton’s annual National Action Network (NAN) Convention this year underscored the importance of Black voter participation and voting rights—critical issues as voters roll onto a presidential election in November.
Sharpton led a ribbon-cutting and opening remarks at last Wednesday’s gala at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel. The event drew several major names from across disciplines including Whoopi Goldberg, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and lauded attorney Benjamin Crump. Sharpton took time to highlight his documentary, “Loudmouth,” which tracks his journey from his youth in New York City to becoming one of the nation’s foremost civil rights leaders
But one of the biggest draws for attendees was President Joe Biden’s live remarks from the White House last Friday afternoon, streamed on big screens to a packed auditorium of eager supporters at the Sheraton. In 2000, NAN was able to get the two candidates for that year’s presidential Democratic nomination, Senator Bill Bradley and environmentalist Al Gore, to debate for the first time at the Apollo Theater, said Sharpton. Sharpton threw his own bid for president in 2004.
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Since that time, every Democratic candidate for president has come to the hotel for the NAN convention in an effort to connect directly with Black voters, including Biden and Obama. Sharpton spoke about the history Biden shares with NAN.
“One of those candidates was then-Senator Joe Biden, and every four years the presidential candidates and all the presidents would come. President Barack Obama came twice,” Sharpton said. “I have known Joe Biden before he was president. He’s always been candid and always been straight, and he’s always did what he said he was going to do. He has always said to us that he would never mislead us in a conversation, even if there may be areas of disagreement.”
Biden’s comments revolved around closing the racial wealth gap, negotiating lower prescription drug prices, bolstering Medicare and Medicaid, reducing Black unemployment rates, forgiveness of student loan debt for Black and brown borrowers, investing in HBCUs, confirming Black women to high executive and judiciary offices, and decriminalizing marijuana, as well as investing in Black-owned businesses and in clean energy for communities of color.
“You know, for more than 30 years National Action Network has been on the frontlines of the work to redeem the soul of America,” Biden said. “You’ve been on the same page, and the work is as important as it’s ever been.”
Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about politics for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.
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