Another Day, Another Rally by Sharpton

Just a day after Al Sharpton joined with Critical Mass in Union Square to protest police harassment of cycling protesters, he was leading a march in Harlem decrying youth violence. The march was instigated by the Memorial Day shooting of 7 young people following a holiday basketball tournament. Stemming from an ongoing dispute between two groups of kids, gunshots rang out along Lenox Ave. over a stretch of 10 blocks.

Just two days earlier, a 15-year-old boy was killed at a house party on 127th St. and a young girl was murdered in Far Rockaway the other week after returning to her former neighborhood to purchase a prom dress. Although her parents had moved out of the neighborhood seeking a more safe environment, she was struck in the head by a bullet and was killed.

Only about 70 people turned out for yesterday's demonstration with Sharpton, which began at the Reverend's National Action Network headquarters and ended at Mt. Morris Park, but marchers shouted "Stop the killing, love one another." Sharpton plans on holding a town hall meeting at the Apollo Theater in the near future to address youth violence.

Everyone wants a picture of the busy man, by mister mark davis at flickr

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Dave Hogarty in News on June 1, 2008 1:20 PM

Comments [rss]

JacqueMehoff

God Bless You Reverend Al Sharpton.

Dude69

Are you people so naive to be conned by the good Rev.? This is just lip service to appease his critics who said he hasn't done anything for black on black violence. I am sure this circus freakshow is salivating for the next Sean Bell type shooting for his next 15 min in the spotlight.

I have a feeling he's a whole-hearted supporter of the "Stop Snitchin'" BS.

Anna_Merkin

I guess the good Reverend-Activist must be reading Gothamist...or perhaps he's not quite the complete hypocrite that his past suggests. Then again, only 70 suggests that he's: a) not trying as hard; b) not able to recruit as many people to protest against an undefined institution ("violent kids" doesn't have the same ring as "NYPD" or "racist thugs"); or c) he doesn't have a very strong base outside of Queens.

sinisterteashop

Love you too, Rev. Al, you're my li' Chocolate Whiskey Puddin' Cake.

GOP

If a black kid shoots another black kid and hit 7 black kids, what's wrong with black cops shooting black sean bell et al?

VanessaNYC

I love you, Mr Sharpton. Keep on keeping on.

babyhitler

Sharpton is such a fucking Hack. 70 People? 300 people for Sean Bell? Farrahkan got a million blacks to march on washington and all he had to do was say "the jew is evil" to get them there.